"I remember I told her I never troubled my head whether things were right or wrong," Lulu remarked reflectively, "and she said I should care, and that we ought to live as in God's sight—remembering He sees us. It's an awful thought that, isn't it? And yet, of course it's true. God does see us."
"Yes," Celia agreed, uneasily.
"I don't know that I ever committed any great sin," Lulu proceeded, "but I've done scores of little mean tricks that I shouldn't like to confess to anyone, and I know you have too."
"What do you mean?" Celia cried, half in indignation, half in alarm.
"Just what I say! I've seen a good bit of you now, and I've found out that you're pretty much like myself. You please yourself whenever you can, and are not above using a little deception to get your own way. What I can't understand is, why you're like that. I think if I'd had a mother, like you, I should be altogether different. I like you very much, Celia; we suit each other capitally; but I'm not blind, and I know we're neither of us a patch on Joy for goodness, and why Sir Jasper hasn't found that out I can't imagine."
There was a frankness in this speech which considerably surprised Celia. She had thought her friend perfectly satisfied with herself, but the picture Lulu had seen fit to draw of them both had shown that not to be the case. What was the cause of her obvious dissatisfaction?
"Oh, dear," exclaimed Lulu, yawning and stretching lazily, "how idle I feel, to be sure! I wish I had something to do. I wish Joy was here with that puppy she's so fond of, then we'd have some fun. I expect she and your brother have good times together, Celia?"
Celia assented. To amuse her companion, she gave her an account of the doings of the Crumleigh Cricket Club, and the tea which the members had had at the Moat House followed by the presentation of the caps.
"And you missed all that fun!" cried Lulu. "I expect you are vexed."
"No, I'm not particularly interested in the cricket club," Celia rejoined. "I'd far rather be here with you. Hark! Isn't that your father's voice?"