"Have you wanted us very much, sweetie?" asked Betty, and Camilla turned to kiss the dear little face.
"So much—oh, so much!" and then she moved a little impatiently on the couch. "Some one is knocking," she said; "it must be Aunty Brenny. Open the door and bring her in, Betty."
She just flashed a look at Caroline and gave a little laugh.
"Now for my scolding," she said in a low voice.
But Mrs. Brenton did not scold. She greeted Camilla most gently and affectionately, and was greatly concerned to hear about the bad headache.
The mere fact, however, that she ignored all mention of the truant act of the night before stung Camilla into a little show of bad temper.
"Don't for goodness' sake follow Rupert's lead," she said, "and adopt a martyr-like expression. I know perfectly well, Agnes, that you were furious with me because I did not turn up last night, now, weren't you?"
"I was not furious exactly," said Mrs. Brenton, "but disappointed, and rather surprised."
"I couldn't help it," said Camilla, in the same impatient way; and then the colour flooded her face and her eyes lit up for an instant as she smiled.
"Don't grudge me my few remaining holidays; I shall not have too many in the future. Yes, darlings"—this to Betty—"you must go. Caroline wants to make you ready for lunch. You are going to put on those pretty new frocks that I sent down and make yourselves ever so smart. Of course you shall sit next me at luncheon. What an idea! Where else would you sit? I shall have one of you on each side of me."