"This is rich," she murmured to herself. "To think of poor Prunes and Prism being thrown with Tony—to think of Tony as a sort of sister to Prunes and Prism. Well, this is a delicious lark. Hullo! is that you, Nan? Come along and speak to me at once, you pert puss. Why, do you know you've grown?"
"Well, I don't suppose I've stood still for the last five years," replied Nan, who could be intensely pert when she pleased. "I'm too busy to stay with you now, Susy; Nora wants me."
"Nora; who is Nora?"
"Nora Lorrimer."
"Nora Lorrimer, is she one of the Tower Lorrimers?"
"Yes; she wants me in a hurry; I must fly to her."
"Stay a moment, my dear child," Susy absolutely rose from her chair in her strong interest. "If this girl is one of the Tower Lorrimers, I had better know her at once; you had better bring her to me and I'll question her."
"I can't bring her to you; she has had a fall and is lying on her back; she can't walk."
"Dear me, what a nuisance; well, I'll go to her, then. Come along, Nancy, show me the way this minute."
"But really, really, Susy," began Nan, raising blue, imploring eyes. "Really, it is very sad about the Towers, you know."