“I think perhaps we’d better wait here,” she said. “Do you happen to know whether your mother needs any help?”
“Help,” repeated the little girl, rather vaguely, “what kind of help?”
“Oh, help in the house, or—or in the garden. Any kind that little girls could do. I thought she might want some one to wash the dishes, or make the beds, or——”
“Oh, you mean a maid,” interrupted her new acquaintance, with sudden comprehension. “No, I’m sure Mamma doesn’t need any one. I heard her tell Papa all the servants were very satisfactory. What made you want to know?”
“Because we—oh, it doesn’t matter. I’m afraid there isn’t any use of our waiting to see your mother, after all.”
“Oh, please don’t go so soon,” pleaded the little girl, clasping her hands imploringly. “You’ve only just come, and I do want somebody to play with so much. Wait and see Mamma; you’ll love her, and perhaps she knows some lady who wants a maid. I suppose your mother wants to find a place for one, just as Mamma did when we went to Europe last year. Don’t you really think you’d like to come and see the rabbits?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid we can’t,” interposed Daisy, firmly. “We’ve left our—some people waiting for us on the road, and they might get worried if we stay away too long.”
“It will only take a few minutes to see the rabbits,” their new friend urged, “and Mamma will be back very soon. Do you think those people would mind waiting just a little longer?”
Dulcie wavered. The little girl was so cordial; it seemed almost rude to refuse her invitation. She glanced appealingly at Daisy.
“I think we might stay just a few minutes,” Daisy agreed. She loved pets, and to possess rabbits had long been an unfulfilled dream.