Flower was standing a little apart; she wore a dark green close-fitting cloth dress; on her graceful golden head was a small green velvet cap. She was picking a late rose to pieces, and waiting for the others with a look of languid indifference on her face. Now she roused herself, and asked in a slightly weary voice:
“Who is Maggie?”
“Maggie?” responded Helen, “she was our kitchenmaid; we are all very fond of her—Polly especially.”
“Fond of a kitchen-maid? I don’t suppose you mean that, Helen,” said Flower. “A kitchen-maid’s only a servant.”
“I certainly mean it,” said Helen, with a little warmth. “I am more or less fond of all our servants, and Maggie used to be a special favorite.”
“How extraordinary!” said Flower. “The English nation have very queer and plebeian ways about them; it’s very plebeian to take the least notice of servants, except to order them to obey you.”
“On the contrary,” retorted Polly; “it’s the sign of a true lady or gentleman to be perfectly courteous to their dependents, and if they deserve love, to give it to them. I’m fond of Maggie; she’s a good little girl, and she shall come to our picnic. Come along, Firefly.”
“I certainly will have nothing to say to Polly while she associates with a servant,” said Flower, slowly, and with great apparent calmness. “I don’t suppose we need all wait for her here. She can follow with the servant when she gets her. I suppose Polly’s whims are not to upset the whole party.”
“Polly will very likely catch us up at the cross-roads,” said Helen, in a pleasant voice. “Come, Flower, you won’t really be troubled with poor little Maggie; she will spend her day probably with George, and will help him to wash up our dinner-things after we have eaten. Come, don’t be vexed, Flower.”
“I vexed!” said Flower. “You are quite mistaken. I don’t intend to have anything to say to Polly while she chooses a kitchen-maid for her friend, but I dare say the rest of you can entertain me. Now, Mabel and Dolly, shall I tell you what we did that dark night when David and I stole out through the pantry window?”