Hester could scarcely bear the look; she stooped down, and taking one of Nan’s little dimpled hands tried to drag her away.
Instantly Annie threw the cup and ball on the floor.
“The play is all over to-night, little darling,” she said; “give Annie Forest one kiss, and run to bed with sister Hester.”
Nan, who had been puckering up her face to cry, smiled instantly; then she scrambled to her feet, and flung her little fat arms round Annie’s neck.
“Dat a vedy pitty p’ay,” she said in a patronising tone, “and me like ’oo, me do.”
Then she gave her hand willingly to Hester, and trotted out of the play-room by her side.