Susy suddenly clapped her hands to her ears.
"For goodness sake stop," she exclaimed. "What do I care for your Macalisters, and Boris's, and Kittys? I want to know how many bedrooms there are—ten, twelve, twenty, thirty? Can't you count?"
"Yes, perfectly," replied Nora with spirit; "but I never troubled myself to count the number of bedrooms at the Towers; you can do so for yourself when you go to see it to-morrow."
"Thanks for nothing. If I'm anything I'm practical, and I shall not only count the bedrooms to-morrow, but measure them also. I shall take a measuring tape with me, and my maid Linette and a foot measure."
"How pleasant for Linette to be sandwiched between a measuring tape and a foot measure," exclaimed Annie, turning round from her position at the window and speaking for the first time.
Susy favoured her with a slow glance of intense dislike. Slightly turning her back she proceeded with her catechism of Nora.
"At least you can say something about the drawing-rooms. How many feet long is the principal drawing-room?"
Before poor Nora could reply, the door of the room was slowly opened and Mrs. Willis, with her usual calm, strong face, entered.
Susy Drummond gave such a start of dismayed surprise that Annie forgave her a good many of her sins on the spot.
Mrs. Willis came up to her and held out her hand.