“What do you mean, Gussie?”
“What I say, little woman. Now, for instance, when we are all taking tea in the tent, you are to see that Constance and Flora get the strongest cups of tea, the most cream, and the most richly buttered of the scones, and the thickest pieces of cake. I am rather famous for reading character, and I am positively sure that these two girls are possessed by greediness. You will remember my injunctions, won’t you, Nancy?”
“I don’t mind helping them to the nice things if they really want them, Augusta. But, oh! please, Gussie, you won’t say anything about me—I mean anything special?”
Augusta laughed. “I am not at all sure,” she said; “it all depends on your behaviour. And, oh, by the way, have you seen Aunt Jessie?”
“Yes—yes, I have; and I am ever so sorry!”
“What! you have not succeeded?”
Nancy shook her head.
Augusta’s face grew black with anger; she also looked seriously alarmed.
“You must talk to her again,” she said. “I cannot have that bad mark entered in the orderly-book. Do you hear? I cannot!”
“I am very sorry, Augusta. You had better speak to Aunt Jessie yourself, for I can do nothing.”