“Oh, it isn’t so much what she does, or even says, as it is her sneering, contemptuous tone and manner, as if Elsie were ever so much younger and sillier than herself, when she is really older and a great deal wiser. I spoke to Elsie about it one day, and she said she was very glad Enna didn’t go any farther; because her papa had ordered her to tell him if Enna abused her, and of course she must obey, and she did dislike so very much to do it.”
Elsie seldom found much enjoyment in a visit to Roselands. Her Aunt Adelaide was the only member of the family there between whom and herself there was a strong mutual attachment, though Lora and Walter were not unkind, and sometimes treated her even quite affectionately.
She and Annis were not in haste to be off from the Oaks on the day of the dinner party, so did not ask to be excused from lessons in order to accompany Rose and Mildred in the family carriage; they had their morning walk together, Annis took her riding lesson, then the usual time was spent in study and recitation.
After that they made their dinner toilets, and Elsie drove Annis over in her own little phaeton, her father riding by its side all the way to Roselands.
It was not strictly a family party; there were several gentlemen guests beside Mr. Dinsmore and Dr. Landreth; among whom the children were glad to see Mr. Travilla. His mother was there also, and not too busy talking to the grown-up people to find time for a little chat with her two young favorites.
They had each brought a bit of fancy work, and until dinner was announced sat in the drawing-room, busy and demurely quiet, listening with interest to the talk that was going on around them, but taking no part in it unless a question or remark were addressed particularly to them.
The moment Walter and Enna caught sight of the phaeton driving up the avenue, they ran out to the veranda, and hardly waiting to greet their brother and the little girls, asked eagerly to be allowed to take a drive in it.
“It belongs to Elsie,” Mr. Dinsmore answered.
“Papa,” she said in an undertone, as he helped her out, “I am willing if you are. But please tell them they are not to ill-use the ponies in any way.”
“I shall ride alongside and see that they do not,” he said. “You and Annis go in and say that I will be here in season for dinner.”