'Oh! what fun! do let me go down and see! I should so like to iron.'
'But, Marilda—your Mamma—'
'Oh nonsense, come along, show me the way. That's right, Robins, only your hands are so sticky. What, down here!—Oh, Wilmet, how d'ye do? what delicious work! do you always do it?'
'Generally, if Sibby is busy.'
'Do let me try.'
And she did try for ten minutes, at the end of which the mother's voice was heard calling for Edgar, who, turning crimson, went upstairs, leaving the others standing about the tidy kitchen, fresh sanded for Saturday.
'What, not you!' said Marilda, pausing in her smoothing operations, and looking at Felix.
'No,' said he. 'I have got my work.'
'Oh! don't talk of it,' said Alda. 'I can't bear it. I didn't think he was in earnest, or that Papa would let him.'
Marilda turned full round. 'What, you won't go and be my father's clerk, and be one of Kedge and Underwood, and make a fortune?'