"What would Mrs. Busby say?"
"O she'd say yes. Of course she'd say yes. Mamma always says yes when I ask her things. Mamma! I say, mamma! listen to me one moment; may I go with Mr. Southwode?"
One moment Mrs. Busby turned her head from the friend with whom she was talking, looked at her daughter, and said, "Yes"; then turned again and went on with what she was saying. Antoinette jumped up.
"And bring your cousin too," said Mr. Southwode as she was flying off.
Antoinette stopped.
"Rotha? she can't go."
"Why can she not go?"
"She has got nothing ready to wear out yet. Mamma hasn't had time to get the things and have 'em made. She couldn't go."
"She might wear what she wore when I brought her here," Mr. Digby suggested. Antoinette shook her head.
"O no! Mamma wouldn't let her go out so. She couldn't, now that she is under her care, you know. Her things are not fit at all."
"Will you have the kindness to send word to your cousin that I should like to see her for a few minutes?"