She thought she must have been wrong in not watching them more closely, and she felt more dislike and indignation against Johnnie than she feared was altogether right in his governess. Also, she feared to make too much of Elizabeth, and was almost afraid that notice taught her to be still more fretful. And yet there was a sense of being drawn to her by their two minds understanding each other, by likeness of tastes, by pity, and by a wish to protect one whom her little world oppressed.
Nurse Freeman could not be more afraid of Miss Fosbrook making favourites than she was herself.
All she could do in the matter was that which she had already done at Bessie’s bedside, and much more fully than when the little girl was listening to her.
CHAPTER V.
With Monday morning began the earning of the pig. Miss Fosbrook’s first business after prayers was to deal out the week’s allowance—sixpence to each of the four elders, threepence apiece to the three younger ones.
“May there be no fines,” she said.
“I’ll not have the hundredth part of a fine!” shouted Henry, tossing his money into the air.
Little David’s set lips expressed the same purpose.
“Please let me have a whole sixpence,” said Susan. “If I haven’t any change, I sha’n’t spend it.”
“You, Sukey! you’d better have the four farthings,” laughed Sam. “You’ll be the first to want them.”