The child naturally was flattered that two grown-up young ladies should take so much notice of her, [175] ]and tell her so frequently of her good looks; it seemed strange, even to her, that with all their money and friends they should trouble to make much of a girl of her age who never wore anything more expensive than muslin, crepon or serge, and always trimmed her own hats.
The reason was that the Misses Browne, though they had really taken a genuine liking to the shy, beautiful-faced child, had a great respect for the name of Woolcot, the high esteem in which the family was held, peccadilloes notwithstanding, and envied—greatly their unquestioned entry into the society that, strive as they would, opened not its doors for them. And they thought, if they could once get on to a friendly footing at Misrule, other people in the neighbourhood who had looked coldly on them hitherto would immediately hold out hands of friendship, and come to their doors with the magic bits of pasteboard they so desired.
The best means to this end they considered would be to dazzle the eyes of the family with the luxury and unstinted wealth at Trafalgar House.
But Nellie was the only one they could get hold of, so they fed her young vanity without stint, and tried to lure her up to the great red mansion.
“Yes, I should love to come,” she had said on this occasion. They were standing on the Parsonage [176] ]court after a set
, Nell in a pink cambric blouse and well-worn serge skirt, the Misses Browne in elaborate costumes of Liberty silk with crossed tennis racquets worked all round the skirts.
“Well, come,” they said,—“don’t wait for the others; we want you,—why can’t you come even if they won’t?”
“Oh,” said Nell, who had not dreamed of independent action, “how could I if Esther and Meg don’t?”
Miss Browne gave a little laughing sneer.
“What a good little girl it is! Does it always ask permission for everything, and do exactly as it’s told? Why, when we were your age we never dreamt even of consulting our parents where we went, and they never dreamt of interfering. Why, it’s a very old-fashioned notion to be in bondage like that to your parents.”