“Oh, dear!” cried Mollie, in mocking tones of unbelief.
And “Oh, dear me! whoever is talking?” cried Willie, in sarcastic tones.
Baby’s teeth were stuck fast in some toffee that Eileen had brought her, so she could not say anything.
CHAPTER XVI.
CONVERSATIONS.
A governess coming! What, a governess coming just when things were at their best. Just when the paddocks were green and the horses were rolling fat, and everything was free and easy, and everyone felt inclined for fun and gaiety and jollification. A governess coming to keep them in musty old school, and make them study dry old books and lessons and figures. They never thought Mother could be so hard-hearted and so cruel and so mean.
“And I’m just sick and tired of old school. I got enough of it in Sydney to last me a lifetime. I did think I would be free from it now and get a rest at home,” sighed Eileen.
“I wish there were no such things as governesses,” wailed Doris. “Governesses and old school!”
“I ’ate old tool!” roared Baby.
“Oh, dear, sometimes I wish I was dead!” went on Doris.
“A smart lot of good being dead would do you,” snapped Eileen.