The sisters went down to the kitchen, and sent the servant to finish the stairs.
“Isn’t he altered?” said Matilda, sotto voce.
“Isn’t he!” said Cousin Emmie. “What a little man!”
They both made a grimace, and laughed nervously.
“Get the frying-pan,” said Emmie to Matilda.
“But he’s as cocky as ever,” said Matilda, narrowing her eyes and shaking her head knowingly, as she handed the frying-pan.
“Mannie!” said Emmie sarcastically. Hadrian’s new-fledged, cock-sure manliness evidently found no favour in her eyes.
“Oh, he’s not bad,” said Matilda. “You don’t want to be prejudiced against him.”
I’m not prejudiced against him, I think he’s all right for looks,” said Emmie, “but there’s too much of the little mannie about him.”
“Fancy catching us like this,” said Matilda.