"Yes, hers and mine. She is my dearest friend, and so she is allowed to call me Clem; you may, too, if you like."
Poppy came, thanking her, and sat by the tea-table. She felt suddenly happier, for now she could follow the dictates of her heart and love this woman—whose name was Clem.
As they took tea the door opened gently and a little figure stole into the room straight to her mother's knee.
"I like you, and love you," said she solemnly.
"Hyacinth, what have you been doing?" Mrs. Portal asked anxiously.
It was easy to see that they were mother and child, for they had the same golden-brown eyes, full of dots and dashes and shadows, and the same grave-gay mouths. There, however, all resemblance ceased. The child's physique consisted of a head covered with long, streaky brown hair, and a pair of copper-coloured legs which apparently began under her chin.
"I love and like you," she repeated glibly.
"Then I know you have been doing something very wicked, Cinthie. You always have when you like and love me."
"Pas!" said Cinthie, now gazing calmly at Poppy.
"I shall go and find out," said Mrs. Portal. "I have to go, anyway, to speak to cook about dinner; do forgive me for five minutes, dear; Cinthie will look after you. Cinthie, I hope I can trust you to be good with Miss Chard for five minutes."