[157]
]He even played in a football match the next week, a thing he had not done for a long time; and he took food less under protest.
But Meg he could not forgive; his manner to her, if compelled to speak, was cold and contemptuous; when possible he totally ignored her presence.
The girl found such conduct very hard indeed to bear from her favourite brother, especially as it was only her keen anxiety for his welfare that had made her act as she had done; she bore it in silence, however, and without reproaching him. Some day, she knew, he would thank her from his heart, and for the present she must content herself to lie under the ban of his displeasure.
To solace herself she took to making puddings, learning the technicalities of meat cooking, and concocting queer-smelling bottles of stuff she labelled mushroom ketchup, tomato sauce, and Australian chutnee in her neatest hand.
Esther smiled a little when first these operations began. Meg had hitherto expressed the frankest dislike for culinary engagements.
Nellie laughed openly.
“Her ’prentice hand she tried on us,
And then she cooked for Alan, oh!”
she said one day, shaking her head as she eyed [158] ]a surprisingly queer-looking conglomeration Meg called amber pudding.
“Many thanks, but no, Meg dearest; I think I will finish with honest bread and cheese!”