Presently she plucked up courage to ask:
"Are Phyllis and Nell not coming to breakfast?"
Mrs. Enderby smiled.
"No, my dear, they never breakfast here. They breakfasted an hour ago in the school-room. They are busy at their studies at present."
"Are they always busy at studies?" asked Hetty.
"A great part of the day they are."
"As all little girls ought to be who wish to be educated women some day," said Mr. Enderby, looking over the edge of his newspaper.
"Your education has hardly begun yet I fear," said Mrs. Enderby.
"Mrs. Rushton"—something withheld Hetty from saying "my mamma" before Mr. and Mrs. Enderby—"always says it is time enough for that," said Hetty.
Mr. and Mrs. Enderby exchanged glances, and Mr. Enderby shifted in his seat and shook the newspaper impatiently. Mrs. Enderby said: