“Ah!” said Claudia, smiling. “Yes, think!”
“Then won’t you admit him as one of the People?”
“When he puts his shoulder to the wheel.”
“I believe, if he’s wise, he’ll come and sit by my side. I’m growing more and more to prefer the fly.”
“It’s natural for you,” said the girl. “It is we younger ones who are responsible for the forward movement.”
Philippa winced.
“Yes, my dear, I know, and God forbid that I should forget it!” she said, with a touch of wistfulness in her voice. “Only it may surprise you by-and-by to find how quickly you grow old in the eyes of the younger. Sometimes think of that, and don’t be in too great a hurry to push the old workers out of the ranks.”
Claudia looked uncomfortable.
“I—I didn’t mean anything of that sort.”
“And I don’t mean to be pushed,” said Miss Cartwright, recovering herself with a laugh. “I flatter myself that we elders have some staying power. Take Harry, however, by all means, if you can get him to push. I dare say it will be good for him.”