"Mama said I was to beg your pardon; and, Lena, I told a story, because I do love you."
"I was naughty too and unkind," said Lena, who, when she was pleased and happy, was always ready to be generous and kind.
In general, all Lena's troubles were self-made; she wanted to be first, not so much in amusements, though she certainly liked to take the lead there also, but in every one's opinions and affections. She wanted to be Milly's and Lucy's favourite, as well as eldest sister. And she would have also liked to be the first in her parent's confidence and affections, as well as the first of their children.
Aunt Mary called the two elder girls to her after breakfast, and told them that she meant them to do some lessons with her every morning. Too much idle time was neither good nor pleasant for them; and she did not want the governess, under whose care they were very soon to be placed, to find her new pupils backward in their education.
The idea of a governess was quite new to them. They would have liked to discuss the subject well over with Auntie; but this she at once forbade—"Your Mama will tell you all about it herself."
"Do just tell us when she is to come?"
"Not till your parents are settled into their own house," said their Auntie unguardedly.
"Going to leave here? O Auntie, you must tell us—please, please do," Lena added coaxingly.
"I thought we were always to live here; I do like this place. Where are we to live?" said Milly, adding her entreaties to Lena's.
"Not a word more will you get out of me," said their Aunt laughing. "What a foolish old woman I was to let so much out."