"And you asked for a pony, Nell?"
Nell coloured crimson.
"No, I didn't," she replied; "but mother turned to me and put her arm round me and said, 'If the others get their things you shall have the wish of your heart, a shaggy pony.'"
"And what did you say to that, Nell?"
"I whispered back to her that I didn't want her to spend her money; and then she kissed me very hard."
"And did father promise things?"
"He said that the house should be refurnished, and that we should go to the sea, and he would buy new horses and a lovely carriage for mother. Father was lively; I never saw him so gay."
"And they went off this morning?"
"Yes, very early; I wasn't even dressed, but I jumped out of bed and ran to the window and saw them driving away."