Rosie's sallow cheeks flushed at her own daring. Her long brown neck rose up from a band of Liberty embroidery, like the stem of a carefully coloured meerschaum. She rubbed her forehead nervously with a paint-stained hand, fixing her irritatingly intense eyes the while on Harriet's placid face.
Harriet stretched out an indolent hand. "There, there," she said soothingly, "I'm very pleased indeed with the flowers; come and be kissed."
Milly raised scoffing eyes to the ceiling. She made her mouth into a round O, and proceeded to blow smoke rings.
"Let me know when it's all over," she said derisively, "and then we'll boil the kettle."
"You can boil it now," said Harriet, waving Rosie back to her foot-stool.
They proceeded to make tea and toast bread in front of the fire. Milly fetched some rather weary butter and a pot of "Gentleman's Relish" from the bedroom, and Rosie produced her contribution in the shape of a bag of Harriet's favourite cream puffs. She had gone without lunch for two days in order to afford this offering, but as Harriet's strong teeth bit into the billowy cream which oozed out over her chin, Rosie's heart swelled with pleasure; she had her reward.
"Méchante enfant!" exclaimed Harriet, shaking her finger, "you mustn't spend your money like this!"
At that moment the door opened and Joan and Elizabeth walked into the room.
"Good Lord, you!" exclaimed Milly in amazement.
They laughed and came forward, waiting to be introduced.