‘Oh, Maude! Then they did not say anything about what we hoped?’
‘What, the mater’s offering for you to come and live with us, darling? Oh no; and I’s afraid it is of no use to ask her, for she said of herself, that she knew Mr. Mohun had sisters, and—’
‘And what? Tell me, Maude. You must!’
‘Well, then, you know you made me, and I think it is a shame. She said she was glad she wasn’t one of them, for you were such a peculiar child.’
‘Dear me, Maude, you needn’t mind telling me that! I’m sure I don’t want to be like everybody else.’
‘And are you going to one of your aunts?’
‘Yes, to Aunt Lilias. Oh, Maude, he would not hear a word against it, and I know it will be so horrid! Aunts are always nasty!’
‘Kate is very fond of her aunt,’ said Maude, who did not happen to have any personal experiences to oppose to this sweeping assertion.
‘Oh, I don’t mean proper aunts, but aunts that have orphans left to them.’
‘But you are not an orphan, darling.’