"My dear Nell, I am not unkind, I only meant to correct Miss Gray's mistake."
"You had better go into the drawing-room and correct Mrs. Rushton's mistakes," said Hetty angrily. "It is by her desire that I call her my mother."
By this time Miss Davis knew who Hetty was, as she had heard something about Mrs. Rushton's having adopted a village child.
"My dears," she said, "don't let us be unkind to each other. Come, we must have our tea, and Miss Gray will be social and join us, even though she has had some before." And she handed a cup to the little visitor.
"Now, Hetty," continued Miss Davis, "I suppose I may call you Hetty, instead of Miss Gray, as you are only a little girl?"
"Yes," said Hetty slowly, half liking Miss Davis, but feeling afraid she was laughing at her.
Tea was finished almost in silence, not all Miss Davis's efforts making Hetty and Phyllis feel at ease with each other. Nell, being rather in awe of her elder sister, of whose general propriety of conduct and good sense she had a high opinion, was not very successful in her attempts at conversation. When the meal was over Miss Davis proposed a walk in the garden before study time.
"Can you play lawn tennis?" asked Nell as they walked towards the tennis-ground.
"No, I never play at anything," said Hetty sadly, "When not with—my mamma," she said with a flash of the eyes at seeing Phyllis looking at her, "I have always been alone."
Miss Davis glanced at the child with pity, but Hetty, catching her eye, would not bear to be pitied.