Accordingly, tea in a lovely old Queen Anne teapot, accompanied by cream and sugar, hot buttered toast, and an egg, new laid and very lightly boiled, was placed before Hollyhock.
'But I haven't touched food for nearly twenty-four hours,' said the wilful child.
'Which accounts for the reeling in your head, my love. Now, then, set to work and eat.'
'But your news, auntie—your news.'
'After you have eaten, my child—after you have finished all the contents of this little tray, but not before.'
Hollyhock suddenly found herself furiously hungry. She attacked the toast and egg, and wondered at the sunshiny feeling which had crept into her heart.
'Now, remember that you are perfectly well, Hollyhock.'
'Yes, auntie dear, of course.'
'And there 'll be no more malingering.'
'Whatever's that, Aunt Cecilia?'