'All the Precious Stones are coming over for dinner,' said Rose, as softly as she could speak.
'Are they? I don't want them.'
'But they are coming all the same, Hollyhock, and so is Aunt Cecilia; and to-morrow they are coming again with that dear boy Ivor Chetwode.'
'Oh, is that his name?' said Hollyhock.
'How can you know anything about his name?' said Jasmine in astonishment.
'Ask Gentian; perhaps she'll tell you,' said Hollyhock with a wicked glance out of her black eyes at her sister's pale-gray ones.
But Gentian shook her head in bewilderment. 'She ought to see a doctor,' was her remark.
'Oh yes,' cried Hollyhock; 'but though she ought, she won't; and neither you nor that old Duncan can force me to; and I don't wish to hear a thing about your precious school, so for goodness' sake don't begin. You know the old proverb that new brooms sweep clean. Well, the school is a very new one, and the brooms are very new also. I expect you won't be in such pretended raptures after another week or two, while I, the faithful one, remain at home, to do my duty.'
The four Flower Girls gazed in consternation at one another. They were certainly distressed when Hollyhock refused to go to school with them, but her behaviour on the first day of their return altogether upset them; and as for poor little Delphy, it was with difficulty that she could keep the tears back from her eyes.
'There! Shoo! Get the cat out,' cried Hollyhock, as Jean was again putting in an appearance.