“Have you been trying to read them through the envelopes?”
“No: but I looked at the postmarks.”
Miss Jennings was silent for an awful moment. Then she said, impressively:
“Little girls; listen to me.”
The two children looked up expectantly.
“Never at any time copy the ways of your elder sister unless you wish to be whipped.”
Violet smiled rather vaguely. Rose’s little pale face grew paler. She nestled close to Robina.
“I ’uv oo, Wobbin,” she said then, in a low, tremulous whisper.
“Bravely spoken, darling,” whispered Robina back to her; and at that moment, to the relief of every one, Mr Starling entered the room.
His big presence and bright personality made a pleasing diversion.