“Oh, please, Fanchon,” said Nina, whose tears had trickled weakly forth, for she had really been rather bad, “don’t scold me, but tell me what you have arranged with Cat last night.”
“She’s not a cat—we made a mistake about that,” said Fanchon.
“What on earth do you mean now, Fanchon?” exclaimed Josie.
“She explained things to me. She’s very good-natured, and very wise.”
“Very ill-natured and only self-wise!” exclaimed Josie.
“No, no—you don’t know!” and then Fanchon proceeded to explain to both her sisters all about that wonderful point of view which Brenda, in her cleverness, had managed to impress on her mind. The money was kept back on purpose. It was on account of dear papa and dear papa’s eccentricity. The money would be spent at Marshlands, and Nina, if she liked, could keep accounts.
“She cried about it, poor thing!” said Fanchon. “She admits, of course, that the money is there for us, and she will buy us just what we want and give us a good time, and some treats besides in the different tea shops. She really was awfully nice about it.”
“Oh, Fanchon,” said Josephine, “you are taken in easily.”
“No, I’m not—I didn’t believe her myself at first.”
“You mean to say you do now?” said Nina.