"As you are going to stay with me," she had said, when she tarried a little while in the nursery after Mrs. Brenton had gone downstairs, "I think we had better start as we intend to go on. Agnes, I know, wants to carry you home again with her to-night, but Betty and Babsy want you—don't you, darlings?"
Caroline asked for nothing better, except, indeed, that she was divided in her desire to show deference to both these women who were so extraordinarily kind to her.
"I only hope I shall do," she said earnestly.
Camilla had laughed at this.
Her baby had climbed on her knee, and was cuddling her very tightly.
"This is not what frightens me," she said. "I am only afraid you won't stand our ways. This is a very funny sort of household—isn't it, Betty?"
The child nodded her head wisely. She looked so pretty with her bright hair screwed up in curl rags.
It was Caroline who introduced the subject of Rupert Haverford.
"I fancy Mrs. Brenton thinks I ought to have referred things to Mr. Haverford," she had said, a little hesitatingly.
"I know," Mrs. Lancing had answered quickly, "but I don't in the least see that. Of course you went to Mr. Haverford last night because you did not know what else to do. But surely that does not entitle him to order all your ways? I shall be awfully disappointed if you don't stay with me," she finished; and Caroline had laughed softly at this.