Nell quavered desperately, "What a fine colour it has!" And she averted her eyes hastily from the horrible, crimson-dabbed cheeks.
"You like her, little one?" Herr Schmidt's tone was anxious.
"Thank you," said Sheila Pat, in a subdued little voice. She stared fixedly into the fire, her head averted from the Thing in her lap.
"Ach, I zink berhaps she does not like it?" Herr Schmidt whispered loudly to Nell. "And I zink it so sweet!"
"She is tired. She has had too many visitors. It was so awfully kind of you to bring it for her, Herr Schmidt. I want her to go to sleep now."
Sweetly Nell sped his departure. When he had gone, Sheila Pat, still with averted head, dropped her knee till the doll slid to the floor. She looked up at Nell, outraged dignity in every feature.
"Please take the—carrion thing—away!"
And to Kate Kearney she presently whispered:—
"Oh, K.K., he's never forgotten! He thinks I'm a baby! And it's all that petticoat! I knew it!"
CHAPTER XXXI