“Are the little people too zealously industrious?” she asked. She saw at once that something was amiss, and wanted to make as light of it as possible. “How do you do, children? Are you Mrs. Carlyon’s two little daughters?”
Priscilla dropped her brush, sprang to her feet, and went forward to shake hands. Her checks were crimson with hard work and shame.
“How do you do?” she said breathlessly. “Yes, I am the eldest; I am Priscilla, and this is Loveday. Loveday” (in an angry aside), “stop dusting, do! I am very sorry the dust is flying,” she went on, turning to Lady Carey again. “We wanted to help mother and Nurse because they were so busy getting ready for the ‘At Home,’ and I was sweeping the carpet and Loveday was dusting the easy things, like chairs and table-legs, but we didn’t know it was time for the guests to be coming. Nurse,” turning to her with a distressed air, “what can we do?”
“Aren’t you very early?” asked Loveday of Lady Carey, as soon as she had shaken hands with her, and said “How d’ye do?”
“Well, you see, dear, I am not come to the ‘At Home’; I did not know your mother was having one. I came to return your mother’s call, and I have unfortunately chosen an inconvenient day.” Then, turning to the servant: “The dust has gone, I think, and I can sit here—unless, of course, you want to be going round with a duster.” But before Nurse could reply she went on: “No, I tell you what I would much rather do, and what would be by far the best plan,” she added kindly; “I have some other calls to pay, and Mrs. Carlyon is very busy, and as I wanted to have a nice long talk with her, I will go away now and come one day soon when she has more time. Don’t tell her about this call, at least until after all her guests have gone, and then be sure to tell her I quite understood, and would rather come when I can have her all to myself.”
“I—I—but I am sure my mistress would wish to see you, ma’am,” said Nurse, who was perplexed to know what she ought to do.
“Yes, I know,” said Lady Carey; “but it would be much more pleasant for us both if I called another day. Now let me out, and hurry back to set this room to rights. It is striking the quarter to four. Good-bye, children. I hope I shall see you again soon.”
“Good-bye,” said Priscilla, but very, very shamefacedly; and as soon as Lady Carey had gone she flew up the stairs to her own room, and, flinging herself on her bed, burst into tears of shame and pain.
“And I meant to help! I meant to make such a nice surprise for mother, and oh! I’ve done such a dreadful thing!” and poor Priscilla sobbed and sobbed until her head ached.
Presently soft footsteps came lightly up the stairs and to her room, but Priscilla, with her hot face buried in the bed-clothes, did not hear them.