“She didn’t want to; not a bit. But I teased her so, I gave her no peace till she said yes. And why shouldn’t she? She’s been promising me the trip for years. But she hated to have me leave her.”
“She’s satisfied to have you travel with Mrs. Snippy?”
“Oh, Snippy’s name is really Mrs. Postlethwaite. But that’s so long, I call her Snippy for short. You must do so too, she’s used to it from everybody. Yes, indeed, mumsie trusts me to her. Oh, Snippy is governess, maid, courier, chaperon, Baedeker, and booking office, all in one.”
“And are you comfortably fixed here?”
“My word, yes! We have rooms like valentines. Come, see them.”
Flo jumped up, and taking Patty by the arm led her to the rooms, which were furnished in the same over-ornate style as the Fairfields’ apartment.
“Snippy, dear,” said Flo, “this is Patty, my very good friend.”
“Pleased to meet you, miss,” said Snippy, as she rose to curtsey.
She was a grim-looking old lady, one that might be characterised as a ‘dragon,’ but she had a gleam of humour in her eye, which went to Patty’s heart at once.