"Isn't she tall, Auntie, nearly as tall as I am?"—the "she" alluded to being, of course, Milly.
"Quite as tall as you are, I think, though that is not such an enormous height, for"——
"No, I know," burst in Lena; "I wish I was taller, because people will never believe that I am so much older than she is."
Miss Somerville laughed as she answered, "I do not think that that need cause you unhappiness, dear."
The entrance of Mrs. Graham and Milly put an end to their conversation; then Colonel Graham came in, and they all went into the dining-room.
After dinner the two sisters went off together to Lena's room, to see all her treasures. There had been a certain constraint and shyness between them, as is so often the case with children in the presence of their elders. When they were alone, this wore off very quickly, and soon they were chatting away together, the best of friends; and although Lena's tongue was going at a gallop, Milly managed to keep up a very good second.
When Aunt Mary came to tell them it was time to go to bed, she found them seated, side by side, on the floor, Milly clasping in her arms "Millicent Lucy," while Lena held forth on the doings and sayings of Aunt Mary and herself; and promising Milly all sorts of delights, in both their names.
"O Auntie, we are having such a nice talk."
"Which I have come to put an end to."
"Already?"