The girls were convulsed with laughter, for Lily had an overwhelmingly droll way of making her highly original remarks.
“I have no mending to do,” said Katie; “so if you want me to read aloud I am quite at your service.”
Lily laid down her work and looked reproachfully at the speaker. “Have you stolen a march on me, uncandid Katherine, with a K, and supplied yourself with a full line of paper garments while I am still groveling in cotton cloth?”
“No; I wear as much muslin as you do, and wear and tear it into twice as many holes. I laid a frightful pile of clothes that wanted mending on my table yesterday, but when I went to bed I found them all mended.”
“That sounds supernatural,” said Lily, using her chest tones and speaking sepulchrally; “I am afraid it was the work of no mortal fingers. Perhaps you have a ghostly double who sits and sews while you otherwise amuse yourself.”
“O, stop talking that way,” said Katie; “you make me feel creepy; I know well enough who did it. It was Mary Ann.”
“How very nice!” said Edna, airily; “I believe I will hire her services too. I have plenty of pocket-money to spare, for there’s no way of spending it here.”
“But she didn’t do it for pay,” protested Katie; “it’s because she likes me.”
“And because you are always so nice to her,” said Lily, with an approving nod which greatly pleased Katie.
Edna drew up her lip scornfully. “I should not accept unpaid services,” she said, loftily.