‘I hope Kalliope isn’t worse,’ said Mysie anxiously.
‘I guess,’ said Valetta, ‘somebody said something the other day!’
‘Something proving us the hotbeds of gossip,’ muttered Gillian.
‘You had better get your German exercise, Valetta,’ said Miss Vincent. ‘Mysie, you have not finished your sums.’
And a sigh went round; but Valetta added one after-clap.
‘Aunt Jane looked—I don’t know how!’
Whereat Gillian nodded her head, and looked up at Miss Vincent, who was as curious as the rest, but restrained the manifestation manfully.
Meantime Lady Merrifield found her sister standing at the window, and, without turning round, the words were uttered—
‘Jasper was right, Lily.’
‘You don’t mean it?’