“Yes, and I have got to wash the tea-things; it’s my
turn, I’m sorry to say,” remarked Hester, a somewhat heavy-looking girl, the least attractive of the family.
“Well, dears, I will wait for you three for exactly twenty minutes,” said Mrs. Gilroy. “Be as quick as possible; bustle away, get the house into perfect order, and then you shall come down to hear my good news.”
The children ran off.
When the door closed behind them Leslie looked at her mother.
“Must you go out again to-night, mother?” she asked.
“No, my darling, not to-night. To-morrow I shall not be home until very late. I have to attend two big functions, and must take my copy afterwards to the Grapho and the Daily Post.”
Llewellyn fidgeted; he stood up and then sat down again. He looked at his mother as if about to speak, and then restrained himself.
“What’s the matter, Lew? What are you worrying about?” said his sister.
“It’s only the thought of mother doing this beastly grind night after night,” he said. “It drives me half-wild sometimes.”