"She knows, of course," thought the child, "but she is not going to tell. Well, neither will I tell. I will just pretend during all the horrid days that are coming that I don't know anything. I feel waking up within me my very naughtiest self. I know I shall be terribly naughty between now and that black day when spiteful old Neil and I start off for that good-discipline school together. Perhaps—who can tell——"
Christian's eyes brightened; a roguish gleam came into their dark depths. She looked full up at nurse, then lowered her eyelashes.
"Nursey," she said, "do put down that horrid skirt and play bezique with me."
"I can't, my darling; I haven't the time."
"Of course you've got time. I don't want that horrid skirt; I hate it. I have plenty of skirts."
"But your mother said it was to be got ready for you, miss. She and Miss Neil came up here to-day and overhauled some of your things, and they said this skirt would stand a lot of wear—at the seaside, for instance."
"But I am not going to the sea. I couldn't wear a hot thing like that in the summer. What do you mean?"
Nurse looked frightened. "There!" she said, irresolution coming all over her old face; "I will please the child. Get the cards, darling; we'll enjoy ourselves."
Christian laughed. They sat by a round table and set to work. They were in the midst of their game when Miss Thompson, Christian's resident governess, entered.
"Whatever are you doing, nurse?" she said. "You know we have all to work as hard as ever we can. There won't be half enough time to make preparations."