“Yes,” said Albert, beaming down at her from his strange pale eyes. “Come on. When will you have your first lesson?”
“Oh,” cried Alvina in confusion. “I can’t promise. I haven’t time, really.”
“Time!” exclaimed Arthur rudely. “But what do you do wi’ yourself all day?”
“I have to keep house,” she said, looking at him archly.
“House! You can put a chain round its neck, and tie it up,” he retorted.
Albert laughed, showing all his teeth.
“I’m sure you find plenty to do, with everything on your hands,” said Lottie to Alvina.
“I do!” said Alvina. “By evening I’m quite tired—though you mayn’t believe it, since you say I do nothing,” she added, laughing confusedly to Arthur.
But he, hard-headed little fortune-maker, replied:
“You have a girl to help you, don’t you!”