"To-morrow," she said, "we'll have such fun. The doctor will let you get up and you shall wear one of my pretty dresses, and Elsie shall do up your hair like mine is done. Then I shall take you into the garden and show you what your new home is like."
"The garden is lovely, ain't it?" said Meg, trying to appear interested.
"Yes, quite lovely. But you must not say 'ain't it', Meg. You are to be my sister you know, and will have to try and talk like I do. We never say 'ain't it.'
"I think I'd best be gone," murmured Meg.
"That I'm quite determined about," said Sheila. "I'll give you lessons every day and explain just what you may say and may not say, and you'll pick it up very quickly. Your tone of voice is quite sweet. It's only just your expressions that need altering. Your voice is musical you know. I expect it is because you sing. I want to hear you sing so much."
Meg turned her face away and tears trickled down her cheeks. She felt desperately lonely. If only Jem knew where she was! Every word that Sheila uttered seemed to make her feel more lonely, though she was aware that her hostess meant to be kind.
"I want to lie under the stars," she murmured.
"You are much better in this comfortable bed," said Sheila.
"Is every window open?" asked the girl, sitting up with a wild look in her eyes.
"No, I'll open them all quite wide. There! now you can see a lot of the sky can't you?"