What an odd woman! When the children were all walking together towards the vicarage they passed her, and Mary asked who she was.
“That?” said Agatha. “Oh, that’s our new school-room maid.”
“She only came yesterday,” added Jennie. “She comes from Yorkshire. And what do you think? When Patrick first heard she was coming he said he was sure he shouldn’t like her; and when Rice asked him why, he said, ‘Because I hate Yorkshire pudding so.’”
“Well,” said Patrick, “it’s the only thing I know about Yorkshire.”
“But you oughtn’t to judge people by puddings,” said Agatha reprovingly.
“Anyhow,” returned Patrick, “she doesn’t look nice—there’s such a great big frown on her forehead. I expect she’s cross.”
“No, she’s not cross,” said Jackie, “she’s sorry; mother told us all about it. She lost her child a long while ago. That’s what makes her look grave. Mother says we ought to be very kind to her.”
“Jennie and I shall have most to do with her,” remarked the matter-of-fact Agatha, “because she’s going to brush our hair instead of Rice.”
They had now reached the vicarage gate, and Jackie lingered after the rest to have a few last words with Mary.
“You’ll come early to-morrow afternoon, won’t you?” he said, “because I want to show you my presents before the others come. I know what two of ’em are going to be. Jolly! Something you’ll like as well.”