"Want to go away, Lena?" said Milly reproachfully. "And when Mrs. Clifford is coming; I do so want her to know you, as well as me."
"I do hope Mrs. Graham will say 'yes.' Now, Milly, don't you go trying to persuade Lena not to—I shan't let you speak to her until it is all settled;" and she laughingly dragged her away, calling loudly to Lucy to come and help her, which the moment Lucy heard her voice, she hastened to do. And a merry struggle went on between them, in which Lena, rejoiced at the prospect of escaping Mrs. Clifford's promised visit, joined in, and it was in the midst of all the fun and noise that Mrs. Graham and Mrs. Freeling joined them.
"You will consent, won't you, Mrs. Graham?" said Bessie, leaving Milly and looking up coaxingly at her.
"Consent to have you here? Yes, with pleasure; and I think, as your mother has kindly asked one of my children to go with Gertrude, that it would do Lena good. She has not been very well lately, and the sea-air may strengthen her."
"But our lessons, Mama?" said Milly.
"She will do them all the better when she is strong and well; won't you, Lena dear?"
"I am not ill, Mama, but I should like to go to the sea."
"And I do so want to stay here," said Bessie. "O Lucy, won't we be happy? I shall have no lessons, and we will live out of doors." Seizing the child as she spoke, she danced her round.
"When are we to go?" asked Lena.
"In a few days," said Mrs. Freeling. "I have written about the rooms, and we shall hear to-morrow."