"I am afraid that she might fall off the stool," my mother said, hurriedly. "Couldn't you use a chair, Madame Tomaso? Though the chairs are rather low for such a little girl."
They made a chair higher with a big book and a sofa pillow, and set me on top in front of the fascinating white keys. The twins were peeping in the door. I looked back at them grandly. I felt very old and important. It seemed almost impossible that only that morning we had been playing express trains together, like children! Still, there was something about it which frightened me, notwithstanding my pride.
"Go away!" I whispered, warningly, to the figures at the door.
They went quickly in evident alarm. Even Dick did not stop for a second look.
"Will she hurt sister?" Trixie asked, in a high voice, as they climbed upstairs.
Dick peered between the banisters.
"If she does, I'll shoot her," he declared, stoutly.
I was glad to see them escape, but I did not like it quite so well when my mother followed them, and the door was tightly closed. I had such a trapped feeling. And the pillow was so high that I could not get down without help. Anything might happen! Madame Tomaso yawned a little as she settled down by my side, but she was still kind. She put a paper in front of me which was covered with black scratches.
"Which is 'a'?" she asked, sociably, pointing to a row of things.