“So am I. But how clever you must be to mend this! Now, when I try to sew, I make great big stitches that every one laughs at.” She examined the repairs that Unity had already executed. “I don't know when I've seen such beautiful work.”
Unity's cheeks burned. Her heart was full. She could utter no word of reply to such graciousness. Tears started into her eyes. Her nose began to water; she wiped it with the back of her hand.
There was a swish of stiff skirts at the door. Unity turned guiltily and beheld the nurse. Then, losing her head, she grabbed the dressing-jacket and bolted like a frightened hare.
“What was that child doing in your room, darling?”
Stellamaris explained more or less to the nurse's satisfaction.
“But who is she?”
Faithful to the Unwritten Law, the nurse lied.
“Just a little girl from the village who has come in for the day to help with the sewing.”
“I should like to see her again,” said Stella.
“I'm sorry you can't, darling.”