“You must be tired,” observed Lady Jane, not unkindly, though rather as a matter of course.
“No,” answered Miss Scott, in a submissive tone, “I am not at all tired.”
She spoke as if she were rather sorry that she was not, as it seemed to be expected of her; and a pause followed, during which Lady Jane felt a little awkwardness at finding herself face to face with the undesirable governess she had sought, and who knew herself to be undesirable, and was prepared to be apologetic.
“I think I ought to tell you,” said Lady Jane at last, “that my girls are a little wild—rather sporting—I daresay you understand the sort of thing I mean. I hope you have a good deal of firmness of character.”
Miss Scott said nothing to this, but nodded gravely as if to say that if she possessed any firmness she would use it. She was evidently a silent young person.
“They are not nasty-tempered at all,” Lady Jane continued. “On the contrary. But they are perfect little pickles. Just to give you an idea—the other day they actually locked the chauffeur in and took out my own new motor. I really hope you will be able to prevent that sort of thing.”
Again Miss Scott gravely nodded, and this time her right eye certainly wandered a little.
“I daresay you would rather go to your room and settle yourself a little before seeing them,” suggested Lady Jane.
“Please, I think I should like to see them at once.”
Lady Jane rang, and told the man who came to send her the two girls.