“Why, I don’t suppose she knew it, did she?” said Bella.
“She went all on pretending she wanted me Queen,” said Agnetta, “as innocent as you please. And she must a known there were a lot meant to vote for her. I call it mean.”
“Never you mind, Agnetta,” said her mother soothingly; “come and get yer tea, and here’s a pot of strawberry jam as you’re fond of. She’ll never make half such a good Queen as you, and I dessay you’ll look every bit as fine now, when you’re dressed.”
“I don’t want no strawberry jam,” said Agnetta sullenly, kicking at the leg of the table.
“Mercy me!” said poor Mrs Greenways with a sigh, “everything do seem to go crossways today.”
Chapter Five.
May Day.
“But I must gather knots of flowers, and buds and garlands gay,
For I’m to be Queen of the May, mother, I’m to be Queen of the May!”
—Tennyson.