They went down to the morning-room, and on the stroke of eight Dick led his mother into dinner, the Squire following.
The twins settled themselves each in a corner of the big sofa in front of the fire. They usually read during the half-hour before they were summoned to dessert, but this evening they had something to talk about.
"I wonder what she'll be like," Nancy began.
"If Aunt Emmeline chooses her I should think she would be all right," said Joan.
Nancy considered this. "Yes," she said. "But she will have to be kept in her place. Of course we have always been able to do exactly as we like with the old Starling. Joan, we must conserve our liberties."
"Oh, I think we shall be able to do that," said Joan. "We must remain calm and polite."
"And keep up our reputation for eccentricity," added Nancy. Then they both giggled.
"You know, Joan, I think it's rather fun," Nancy proceeded. "I shan't a bit mind learning things now. I should have hated it a year or two ago. But you can't deny that it is rather slow at home."
"That's why Cicely ran away," said Joan. "She simply couldn't stand it any longer. But it doesn't worry me like that. We have a pretty good time on the whole."
"Yes, we see to that. But, of course, Cicely was much older. And after all, she didn't run very far—only to London, to see Walter and Muriel. And she soon came back."