“Evelyn,” said Audrey, “I will wait for you in the dressing-room if Miss Henderson has no objection.”
“But I have, for it may be necessary for me to detain your cousin for a short time,” said Miss Henderson. “Go, Audrey; do not keep me any longer.”
Evelyn stood sullenly and perfectly still in the hall; Audrey disappeared in the direction of the schoolrooms. Miss Henderson now took Evelyn’s hand and led her into her private sitting-room.
“What do you want me for?” asked the little girl.
“I want to say something to you, Evelyn.”
“Then say it, please.”
“You must not be pert.”
“I do not know what ‘pert’ is.”
“What you are now. But there, my dear child, please control yourself; believe me, I am truly sorry for you.”
“Then you need not be,” said Evelyn, with a toss of her head. “I do not want anybody to be sorry for me. I am one of the most lucky girls in the world. Sorry for me! Please don’t. Mothery could never bear to be pitied, and I won’t be pitied; I have nothing to be pitied for.”