Aunt Phyllis did not answer till she had seated herself by the fire, then she said:
"You go out for your 'constitutional' directly after your early dinner, do you not, dears?"
"Yes," said Alice, "and I wish we didn't."
Aunt Phyllis shook her head. "It is quite right, I have not come in to alter that, little puss."
Alice pouted just a very little, and Miss Headley went on:
"You come home about three, do you not?"
"Half past," said Agnes.
"What do you do then?"
"We work, or learn lessons, or gape, or are idle," said Alice, smiling a little.
Aunt Phyllis smiled too. "How should you like to bring your work in with me? I have an interesting book I want to read to you, and if Agnes is busy, or tired, she can stay at home, and I'll see to your work. Eh, Alice and Minnie?"