"Lilias! Let her take a child like herself. You ought to be with the grown-ups."
"Everyone treats me exactly as if I were a child," said Ermengarde. "I do think it's a great shame, for I don't feel in the least like one."
"Of course you don't, pet. Now listen to me. I'm not going to this stupid, horrid picnic."
"Aren't you, Flora?"
"No, I'm going to stay at home, and I want you to stay with me. You won't be dull, I promise you."
"But what excuse can I give?"
"Oh, say you're tired, or have a headache, or something of that sort."
"But I'm not tired, and I haven't got a headache."
Flora pouted.
"After all, you are only a baby," she said. "I made a mistake; I thought you were different."