“If I must, I must,” said Nan. She opened the book languidly. “Where is the place?” she asked.
“Page 204. Read from the top, and go straight on until I tell you to stop.”
Nan began. She could read well when she liked, but now her voice was little more than a gabble, for she was thoroughly annoyed and also decidedly cross.
“That will not do at all,” said Augusta. “Read as if you enjoyed it. Is it not a splendid scene? Does not Rudolf speak up to Bertha? Now then, go on. I am sure he will propose to her in the end; I am certain of it.”
Nan read to the bottom of the next page; then she put down the book.
“Where did you get this book from?” she asked.
“What does it matter to you, Nancy? Go on reading—do. Oh, I am just dying to hear what will happen! I adore Rudolf; don’t you?”
“No; I do not like him at all. I don’t like the book. I don’t think Uncle Peter—I mean Mrs. Richmond—would want me to read this book; it is not a nice book.”
“And what do you know about books, whether they are nice or nasty?”
“I don’t like this book. I am sure Mrs. Richmond would not like you to read it. May I go down and ask her?”