But the return parties were an incubus on their minds. Only they were not to be till after Christmas.
CHAPTER XIII
THE DOWER HOUSE
Over the hearth of the drawing-room of the Dower House, in the sociable twilight that had descended on the afternoon tea-table, sat three ladies—for Lady Adela and Miss Morton had just welcomed Mrs. Bury, who, though she had her headquarters in London, generally spent her time in visits to her married daughters or expeditions abroad.
Amice had just exhibited her doll, Elmira’s last acquisition, a little chest of drawers, made of matchboxes and buttons, that Constance Morton had taught her to make, and then she had gone off to put the said Elmira and her companions to bed, after giving it as her grave opinion that Lady Northmoor was a great acquisition.
‘Do you think so?’ said Mrs. Bury, after the laugh at the sedate expression.
‘She is very kind to Amice, and I do not think she will do her any harm,’ said Lady Adela.
‘Governessing was her métier,’ added Bertha, ‘so it is not likely.’
‘And how does it turn out?’
‘Oh, it might be a good deal worse. I see no reason for not living on here.’
‘And you, Birdie?’