“Did you leave mother to put your hat on?” asked Ethel, in a vindictive tone.
“No, mother helped me to dress. She was most particular. She has very good taste when she likes.”
“She is everything that is good; don’t run her down to us,” said Molly.
They had, it may be perceived, almost dropped the Coventry system. It was tiresome and uninteresting when nobody took any notice of it.
“Nesta, dear,” said Marcia during lunch, “you will be very careful about mother. I think you are going to have a nice afternoon. I have left her so well and comfortable, and so inclined to enjoy herself.”
“Oh, yes,” said Nesta.
“That’s a good girl,” said Marcia. “I see by your face that you are going to make us all happy.”
“I hope so,” replied Nesta.
These remarks would have aroused the suspicions of Molly and Ethel on another occasion, for they would have considered them wonderfully unlike the pert Nesta; but they were absorbed by the thought of their own tea party, and took no notice.
Marcia had to hurry through her lunch in order to catch her train. She told her sisters she would be back about nine o’clock that evening and went away.