“Not bad, quick and hot perhaps, but that’s different, and she is in many ways very young still.”
“Well—” said Madelene, getting up as she spoke “we must go to bed, Ermie. And—I certainly don’t want anything of the kind just yet; papa would be horrified. We must do as he wishes, and try to make Ella please him. I shall have to see about masters for her. I wonder if Viénot still comes over to Weevilscoombe?—Philip certainly can scarcely help admiring Ella.”
Chapter Six.
Lady Cheynes at Luncheon.
“I don’t mind having some singing lessons,” said Ella, twisting round on the piano stool, where she had established herself for the sake of conveniently examining her sisters’ music, “but as for playing—it would be money thrown away, and however rich we are I don’t see any sense in that. I wouldn’t practise, for that would be waste of time too.”
“But if papa wishes it—makes a point of it, in fact,” said Madelene.
Ella was silent.
“If it’s a duty—as obedience to papa—well, in that case I suppose I must give in,” she answered. “But I think it’s rather hard lines—at my age. Were you forced to go on with lessons when you thought you had done with them—you and Ermine?” she asked abruptly.