"Do you know anything but psalm tunes, Niece Corbet?" asked Mrs. Chloe anxiously. "Not that I should call that a psalm tune."
Luckily we had learned some of Dr. Purcell's pretty music to the words of "The Tempest," and I sung Ariel's song—"When the bee sucks," and one or two others.
"There, you must not tire yourselves!" said Mrs. Deborah kindly, after Amabel had played "The Harmonious Blacksmith," and one or two other lessons. "It is time you were going home. I will send Richard with you. You must come and breakfast with us, and then we will go out together. De you need any new clothes?"
"No madam!" answered Amabel. "We have abundance of everything."
"Very good. My Sister Chloe wishes to buy some new morning gowns, and there are a few matters needed for the house, which I may as well see to now I am here. There, good-night. Be here by eight o'clock, or is that too early for my town-bred misses?"
She spoke these words smilingly, and Amabel answered in the same way.
"Oh no, aunt, we are early risers."
"Why, that is well; we shall suit all the better."
"Yes, we shall suit all the better!" added Mrs. Chloe. "My sister Deborah is a very early riser, and so am I; but poor Philippa is a sad invalid, and she keeps her hours to suit herself. Indeed, she lives quite by herself when she is at home, as you will see."
"Let them see then, and don't keep them to discuss family matters to-night, Sister Chloe!" said Mrs. Deborah, with a little impatience in her tone. "There, good-night."