A bright eye twinkled at her.
“I suppose it is very wrong of me to let you gnaw slippers. I am sure Mrs. Baxter is harder hearted. But you are so young, little Billy, and too soon you will be old.”
The door opened, and a large woman with a broad and comfortable face sailed in with a tray.
“Good morning, miss!”
“Good morning, Mrs. Baxter! Whose shoe has Billy got?”
“I’m thinking it’s one of mine, miss.”
“The wretch!”
“I gave it him, miss. It’s only an old one.”
Eve’s eyes glimmered.
“Oh, Mrs. Baxter, how very immoral of you! I thought Billy’s education would be safe with you.”