“Why, Miss Roy,” he said, “what is this solemn conclave? I heard you ask Nancy something.—What is it, Nancy?”
“You asked me about my bird,” said Nancy, raising her head and speaking bravely. “I have given him away.”
“Nancy! you have given Sunbeam away?” cried Kitty.
“Yes. I took him yesterday to a little girl—you know her, Nora—you remember her, Kitty—Grace Hammond. She wanted a bird, and I gave her Sunbeam. He was my own, and I could do what I liked with him. Don’t keep me, please.”
She pushed past the girls. Her manner was almost rude. Before any one could utter an additional word she had left the room.
“What does this mean?” said Captain Richmond.
“I think it is very generous of Nancy,” here exclaimed Augusta.
But no one else applauded Nancy for her generosity. There was a weight in the air which every one felt.
Immediately after lunch Captain Richmond went away to pay a round of calls. Miss Roy retired to her own room—she happened to have a very acute headache—and the four girls were alone.
Kitty fixed her eyes on Nan. Nan shuffled uncomfortably with her feet.