"Not? Now I really thought——"
But a gentle voice interrupted what was becoming too hot for poor Alice's temper, and aunt Phyllis said:
"Grandmama invites you all to dinner to-day, my dears, at two o'clock; will you come?"
At the word dinner Agnes started. "Oh dear, auntie, I forgot it was my duty now to see after dinner! I do not believe I should have thought of it for ever so long."
"Cook would have reminded you, I dare say," said her aunt, smiling.
"What are you boys going to do this morning?" asked Agnes.
"I'm going to my room to have a general turn out for the holidays, and shall not be visible again till five minutes to two."
"That's a good thing," said Agnes, laughing.
"Your politeness is only exceeded by your truth," said John, giving his aunt a kiss, and disappearing through the door before Agnes could give him back an answer, had she wished it.
"And what is Hugh going to do?" asked Miss Headley, turning to him.