"You want several, my darling," said Mrs. Laval, "for different uses and occasions. Don't you understand that?"
"Yes ma'am, I always did"—
Matilda would have explained, but Norton broke in. "She thinks two overcoats at once is extravagant, mamma; I ought to give one of them away."
Matilda wanted to say that Norton was laughing, and yet what he said was partly true. She held her peace.
"You do not really think that, my darling," said Mrs. Laval, putting her arm round Matilda, and bending down her face for a kiss. "You do not think that, do you?"
It was very difficult to tell Mrs. Laval what she really did think. Matilda hesitated.
"Don't you see," said the lady, laughing and kissing her again, "don't you see that Norton wants two overcoats just as much as he wants one? The one he wears every day to school would not be fit to go to church in. Hey?" said Mrs. Laval with a third kiss.
"Mamma, there are reasons against all that; you do not understand," said Norton.
"It's very hard to say," Matilda spoke at length, rousing herself; for her head had gone down on Mrs. Laval's lap. "May I say exactly what I do mean?"
"Certainly; and Norton shall not interrupt you."