"Come, dears," said Miss Pinchin, "we'll soon have it over. And you'll both be so relieved from your masses of untidy hair."
"But I like my hair; I love it," said Henny. "It's the same colour as mumsie's, poor old mums whose neck was broken. Oh, I say, it is cruel to serve us like this."
"How, don't talk any more nonsense, girls. Besides, after your hair is cut, you'll only be allowed to speak in French."
"Then we must be dumb," said Daisy, "for we don't know any French."
"I myself will have the pleasure of instructing you in that elegant language. You will soon know what is absolutely necessary for your wants. Now, enter your room, dears, for time is getting on."
These headstrong, naughty girls, who had done exactly what they liked at Templemore, now found themselves tongue-tied. A tall, gaunt woman was standing by the little window. In figure she was absolutely flat. Her dress was a dark and ugly shade of brown. In her hand she held a very large pair of scissors. Miss Crew looked absolutely calm and self-possessed. She got Daisy first into her clutches, and having wetted her tangled locks and reduced them to straightness, she proceeded to snip them off just above the shoulders. It was possible for Daisy to keep her hair behind her ears, but all trace of curl had vanished. The last semblance of her poor attempt at beauty had departed with the tangled curly locks.
Henrietta, whose hair was much thicker and richer, strangled a scream. She began to struggle.
"I won't. I say, I wont!" she cried.
"You will," said Miss Pinchin.
Crew set to work. The same performance took place over Henny's head. For those who admire red hair, she had lovely hair. It was thick and grew in great masses far below her waist. It showed also a far greater mass of curls than did Daisy's.