"Spiders mend it!" repeated Judy. "David, you are enough to provoke a saint."
"But you are not a saint," said her brother. "It need not provoke you. What are you going to do?"
"Judy," said Matilda suddenly, "look here. Does your grandmother often wear this?"
"She'll be sure to want it now," said Judy, "if she never did before."
"It doesn't help the matter either," said David. "Putting off discovery is no comfort. I always think it is best to be out with a thing and have done with it."
"No," said Matilda. "Yes;—that isn't what I mean; but I mean, will Mrs. Lloyd want to wear this now for a few days—four or five?"
"She won't wear it before our party," said Judy. "There's nothing going on or coming off before that. O I wish our party was in Egypt."
"Then don't," said Matilda. "Look here,—listen. I think perhaps,—I don't promise, you know, for I am not sure, but I think perhaps I can mend this."
"You can't, my girl," said David, "unless you are a witch."
"You might as well mend the house!" said Judy impatiently. "It isn't like darning stockings, I can tell you."