“A good thing then,” said Di, “that you didn’t upset your tea this time.”
But Phoena went on: “I was thinking what a pity it seems that this time yesterday we all had such a lot of good intentions, and this afternoon we all managed to forget them so quickly.”
“Yes, indeed,” said Faith, with a sigh.
“A pity we couldn’t bottle them,” said Di, flippantly, “and label them to be used when wanted.”
“Or pickle them,” sneered Andrew.
“No, but do listen,” besought Phoena. Somehow when her eager face was all aglow with enthusiasm and her large eyes shining like lamps no one could resist listening to Phoena. “I’ve been thinking how in the old days, when they must have been just as fond of fighting as you boys are now, they had a very good plan for helping people not to forget their good intentions.”
“Really,” jeered Andrew, “pray how did they manage that, Mrs. Solomon?”
“Did they advertise them like Sunlight Soap?” broke in Di.
“Well, yes; they did something like that,” said Phoena; “that is, they made their good intentions so public that for very shame sake they had to fulfil them.”
“Oh! now I see what you mean,” said Di, who had plenty of wits when she chose to use them; “you’re thinking of those old creatures who were called—oh! what was their name? Cru—cru—something?”