"Pleasant?" repeated Maria.
"Yes," said her little sister, quietly, lifting her eyes to Maria's face so steadily and gravely that the other changed her ground.
"But at least it is not duty, Matilda."
Matilda had dried all the cups, and she threw her napkin down and covered her face.
"Oh yes!" she said; "it is duty and pleasure too. I'll do what I can."
"But what does it signify, your doing it?" said Maria. "It isn't anything. And it will look so odd if you do and I don't."
Matilda took up her napkin again, and went to work at the plates.
"Matilda, I wish you would wait. I am not ready to go now."
"But I am ready, Maria."
"If I was to tell Aunt Candy, I believe she would put a stop to it," said Maria, sulkily. "I know she does not think much of such young people doing such things."