II
"WE'RE TO HAVE A GOVERNESS"
"Miss Jill, your sister wants to speak to you."
Jill was curled up on the nursery hearthrug, reading a story-book, and sucking peppermints. She had a slight cold, and had not accompanied Jack and Bumps in their daily walk with nurse. She jumped up with alacrity.
"Where is she, Annie? Not in the drawing-room?"
"No, in the library," answered the nursery-maid.
Jill dashed down-stairs, and burst open the library door very noisily. She drew back when she saw a strange young lady in earnest conversation with her sister; and she was conscious of a rough head of hair, a buttonless shoe that was being trodden under heel, and some very sticky fingers.