"It's rather silly of you, isn't it? For you are quite protected from me."
"I know that; but you gave me a great shock."
"Dear Cartery," said Bertha, "she did, to be sure; but she is changed, and you never told us she was so beautiful."
"You don't think much of a beautiful face, my dear, when you are being dashed to pieces on the rocks," said Miss Carter.
"Oh yes! oh yes! but still, she is never going to do anything of that sort again. Are you, Irene dear?"
"I haven't any present intention of doing so, Bertha dear," replied Irene in a deliberate tone. "Now, Miss Carter, I want to know if you will forgive me. It will help me to be good if you will forgive me. Will you?"
"Then I will," said Miss Carter.
"Then there is only one way to prove it. You must get right up off your bed and come downstairs with me, and let me rest on your arm, and come out with me on to the lawn, where all the children are having their tea, and you and I between us are to offer them bread-and-jam and cakes and biscuits. Will you or will you not?"
"Of course you will, Cartery dear."
"Are you certain that you mean what you say?" said Miss Carter. "I have got a sort of headache."