‘But where’s Dolly?’ she asked, as she looked at the assemblage on the stairs.
‘Bolted into her room, like a donkey,’ said Wilfred, the last clause under his breath.
‘Indeed, mamma, we did ask her, and gave her the choice between wolves and bears,’ said Mysie.
‘Unfortunately she is bear without choosing,’ said Gill.
‘A sucking of her paws in a hollow tree,’ chimed in Hal.
‘Hush! hush!’ said Lady Merrifield, looking pained; ‘perhaps the choice seemed very terrible to a poor only child like that. We, who had the luck to be one of many, don’t know what wild cats you may all seem to her.’
‘She never will play at anything,’ said Val.
‘She doesn’t know how to,’ said Mysie.
‘And won’t be taught,’ added Wilfred.
‘But that’s very dreadful,’ exclaimed Lady Merrifield. ‘Fancy a poor child of thirteen not knowing how to play. I shall go and dig her out!’