Among his juniors he heard more opinions and more undisguised, when the whole party had rushed out together to the stable-yard to inspect the rabbits and other live-stock.
‘And Dolly says you are a fright,’ sighed Mysie, condoling with a very awkward-looking puppy which she was nursing.
‘She! she thinks everything a fright!’ said Valetta.
‘Except Constance,’ added Wilfred.
‘Who is ugliest of all!’ politely chimed in Fergus.
‘Oh, Japs, she is such a nasty girl—Dolly, I mean!’ cried Valetta.
“You know you ought not to say ‘nasty,’” exclaimed Mysie.
‘Well, but she is!’ insisted Val. ‘She squashed a dear little ladybird, and said it would sting!’
‘She really thought it would,’ said Mysie.
At which the young barbarians shouted aloud with contempt, and Valetta added. ‘She is afraid of everything—cows and dogs and frogs.’