“I could with any one but Pen; but Pen can see through a brick wall. I had to tell it, and very plump, too, where Pen was in the question.”
“Well, it makes me feel horrid,” said Patty. “I am sorry we went. I think we did awfully wrong.”
“We did it for Paulie. We’d do more than that for her,” replied Briar.
“I suppose so. I certainly love Paulie very much,” answered Patty.
“And, Patty,” continued Briar, “having told such a great black lie to help her, we must go through with it. Pen means mischief. She’s the sort of child who would do anything to gain anything. She wants to go to the seaside, and she wouldn’t mind whom she got into trouble if it suited her own ends. We must remember she means mischief, and if she talks again about three figures on the lawn, you and I have got to stick to it that we didn’t go. Do you understand?”
“I do, and I consider it awful,” said Patty.
She did not add any more, but went slowly into the house. Presently, feeling much depressed, she sought nurse’s society. Nurse was turning some of the girls’ skirts. She was a good needlewoman, and had clung to the house of Dale through many adverse circumstances. She was enjoying herself at present, and used often to say that it resembled the time of the fat kine in Egypt.
“Ah, Miss Patty!” she cried. “It’s glad I am to see you, darling.”
“Can I do anything for you, nursey?” asked Patty.
“Of course you can, dear. You can help me to unpick this frock. I am cutting it down to fit Miss Pen. It will make a very neat frock for her, and it seems unfair that dear Miss Tredgold should be at more expense than is necessary.”