“Oughtn’t to do what?” asked Anne.
“To come here like this the first morning of the holidays, although you were asked in a kind of way.”
“Oh, don’t scold me, Kitty; I’ve come about you, to save you. After all, it doesn’t matter so vitally to Grace and me. At the worst we’ll only get a bad scolding; but you—it will ruin you, Kitty, and it must be stopped.”
“What are you talking about, Anne? Oh dear!”
But just then the door was opened, and Molly, looking very pretty and sweet, entered.
“Mother sends her compliments to you, Anne, and hopes now that you have come that you’ll stay to lunch. Mother is sorry she is not down to receive you; but she seldom comes down until lunch-time. Would you like to come round and see the greenhouses? We have some lovely orchids in bloom.”
“Yes, of course, you’d like that,” said Kitty. She was really now on thorns to be alone with Anne, but knew better than to show her fear. The three girls went from one orchid-house to another, and by-and-by the great luncheon-bell rang, and Anne was taken upstairs by Molly in order to wash her hands and brush her hair. Molly acted the part of a very charming little hostess, and Kitty could not get a word alone with Anne. She was inclined to tear her hair, her brain was in a perfect whirl. Molly and Jessie were under the impression that they were doing their guest a great kindness by ridding her of Anne’s society, and Anne herself was dimly wondering how she could accomplish the object of her visit. Kitty, however, was not The Imp for nothing. Imps can squeeze their way into round and square holes alike.
As lunch was drawing to an end, Kitty looked up suddenly. “Oh Molly,” she said, “I’ve got such a good idea!”
“What is that?” asked Molly.
“Well, you know the charades that we are to act on Christmas Eve in the hall for the benefit of the servants. I can drive into Downton with Anne when she’s going back, and choose some bright-coloured cheap sort of stuffs to make up for our costumes. If you will trust me with a pound or so I can make the money go a long way, and we ought to begin to-night, if we are to have anything effective.”