"Does she always say yes when you coax?" was the surprised remark elicited from Milly.
"Not always," Lena had to confess, "but sometimes."
There was a pause for a minute or two, and then Lena exclaimed eagerly, "Do you remember that man coming with a paper for Auntie to sign, and she told us it was a petition, and the man said the more people that signed it, the more likely it would be to succeed."
"Yes; what of that?" answered Milly in an independent tone. She had gone back to her occupation of counting the vessels in sight and was once more absorbed in it.
"I don't believe you listened to what I was saying; I do think it unkind of you."
At this accusation Milly started, and turning round, said gently, "I didn't mean to be unkind, but what has the petition to do with us?"
"O Milly, you are stupid. Don't you see what I mean? Wouldn't it be fine to write a petition to Mama to let us go to the beach?"
"Yes, let us: it would be something to do."
"I will go in and get a sheet of paper and a pencil, and then we will all sign it. Do you remember how it began?"
"Let me try and remember," said Milly with an air of wisdom, covering her face with her hands, as if to prevent any outside object from attracting her attention, only looking up, as Lena ran off to the house, to call out, "Mind and bring a pretty piece, Lena."