Hetty began with a conversation between a mincing and lackadaisical young lady and a bouncing one who talked noisily; and she changed her attitudes, her accent, the expressions of her face in such droll ways, and altogether contrasted the two characters so well, that a round of applause and laughter greeted and encouraged her. Then followed a ridiculous scene between a cross old lady and an amiable old gentleman in a hotel; and so on. Every odd character Hetty had ever met was reproduced for the amusement of the company.
Most of the guests laughed heartily and lavished praises on Hetty's talent and beauty. Only a few looked shocked, and shook their heads, saying it was sad to see a child so precocious and cynical.
Mr. and Mrs. Enderby, though disliking the exhibition and thinking it very bad for the little girl, were obliged to laugh with the rest, and Mrs. Rushton was delighted and triumphant. Nell laughed more than any one and clapped her hands wildly, but Phyllis looked on all the time with a disdainful smile.
"My girls are up too late," said Mrs. Enderby, as she bade them good night.
"Why did you send for us, then, mother?" said Phyllis.
"I did not, my dear, it was quite your aunt's doing. She wished to amuse you, I believe."
"Then I wish I had known," said Phyllis, "I would rather have gone to bed. I did not want to see that ridiculous performance."
"Hetty took some trouble to make us laugh. And if she has not been very wisely brought up we must not blame her too much for that."
"I do not like her; I wish she would go away," said Phyllis with quiet determination.
"She is going to-morrow," said Mrs. Enderby.