"It's a bit monotonous, perhaps, but I am impatient to see how it is going to look made-up on a new lining. I have suggested to Annie that we line it with a nice, soft, gray flannelette. It will be soft and cosy for Mamma, and last her all the winter, and won't cost half so much as ever such a cheap silk lining."
"Ah!" sighed Arthur. "That is of great importance to us now."
"Of course it is! But, after all, contriving to make ends meet is not so bad—it makes life interesting and gives us something to think about. I don't know what we should have done if we had not always been busy since we have been here, but as it is we have little time to spare for company."
"Poor Molly, you don't have many callers here now?"
"No, we don't," frankly avowed his sister. "And I have been wondering whether Aunt Mary has found out by any chance that you and I called her 'the dragon' sometimes. Did you know old Hannah had gone to live with her as cook?" she asked suddenly.
"I don't believe it," said Arthur. "Hannah always said she wouldn't go there for a pension."
"She hadn't the chance then, but the grocer told Alice this morning that our old servant had gone to live with Lady Mary because—"
"But she'd never tell 'the dragon' what we said about her?" interrupted Arthur.
"There's no telling what she might do. Hannah liked to have a gossip, and so does Aunt Mary."
"Well, if she has told her, it will be another mark down to my score. What do you call the colour of that thing you are unpicking?" he asked, by way of turning the conversation.