It really did; for Maud could never forget that she was Miss Hilary Forester, and she gave a self-satisfied little waggle to her skirts as she walked, which said very plainly, "Look at me! Don't I strike you as being more attractive than most girls?"
This attitude on Maud's part was hardly to be wondered at, seeing that she had been spoiled and petted all her life. Everything that she said and did was extravagantly praised by her adoring mother, and she had grown up with exaggerated ideas of her cleverness, her looks, and her own importance. What wonder, then, that the poor child held her head high and waggled her skirts? But Marjory knew nothing of these causes, and, seeing only their effects, her feelings towards the newcomer had not softened at all by the time church was over.
The three girls walked together as far as the turning to Braeside, and conversation flagged considerably.
"Are there many parties here at Christmas?" asked Maud.
"I don't know," replied Blanche.—"Are there, Marjory?"
"Not that I know of."
"What a dead-and-alive place to live in!" exclaimed Maud.
"It isn't!" said Blanche, firing up.
"Don't be so touchy, Blanche," said her cousin. "You don't seem to be at all improved since I saw you."
Just then Silky, who had been sitting by the milestone as usual, watching for his mistress, bounded forward to meet her, jumping and barking round her with every sign of delight. In so doing he brushed against Maud, and she was not at all pleased.