"I hope she won't send for me, anyhow," said Vera, "because I haven't done my French, and——"
"Then I shouldn't like to be you if you have to go to her," said Lucy, in a manner far from comforting.
Lady Harriet was by way of teaching the children French, and had not endeared the language to them.
"I wonder what called papa away!" mused Sophy.
"Now, Sophy, that's no business of yours," said poor Suzette, endeavouring to do good. "You've no business to——"
"Well, I don't see any harm in it, Miss Bligh. Papa's always being called away now."
"Especially when mamma's——"
"I can't listen to any more, dears. Does the vicar or the curate preach in the morning, Lucy dear?"
"Don't know, Miss Bligh. I say, Vera, suppose you go and ask mamma to let us have some of that strawberry jam at tea."
"Yes, let's make her go," Sophy chimed in gleefully.