osed. She
frowned and fidgeted with the kettle, while Pixie continued to discuss
the situation. "I know what it is to have children about when there's
something to do. Mrs Wallace gave me a book the other day, and the
schemes I made to get time to look at the pictures! I was supposed to
have gone out for a walk, and they were to prepare a surprise for me
when I got back. And 'twas a surprise! They'd pretended to be savages,
and pulled all the feathers out of my hat to stick in their hair!"

"Very ill-mannered and impertinent I call it! I hope you gave them a
good scolding?"

"I did not," said Pixie calmly. "I don't like scolding meself, and it
makes me worse. I merely remarked that it was a pity, as I'd have to
sew them back again instead of playing games. 'Twas dull work watching
me sew, and I didn't disturb myself with hurrying. Ye couldn't bribe
them within yards of me hat this last week!"

"Humph! When I was a child I was whipped when I did wrong, and that was
the end of it. But things have changed since then, and time will prove
which was the best system. Another cup of tea, Miss Bridgie? I hope
you have good news of your sister and the little boy?"

"Yes, thank you, Miss Munns. They are both well, and we are hoping to
see them quite soon. They come up to their town house at the beginning
of May, and we expect to have quite a gay time. Esmeralda is bringing a
house-party of old Irish friends with her, and it will be delightful to
meet again. She always loved entertaining, and was clever in devising
novelties, and now that she has plenty of money she can do as she likes
without thinking of the cost. You must get your fineries ready, Sylvia.
There will be lots of invitations for you next month."

Sylvia's smile was less whole-hearted than it would have been if one
sentence had been omitted from Bridgie's announcement. "Old friends
from Ireland" would of a surety include Miss Mollie Burrell, and
Esmeralda would see that Jack made the most of his opportunity. It
would not be exactly pleasure to accept invitations for the sake of
seeing other people flirting together, while she herself sat alone in a
corner.

"I shan't go!" she told herself. "If she asks me I shall refuse. I
don't care to be patronised at Park Lane or anywhere else. I'd rather
stay at home and play cribbage in Rutland Road." But all the same in
the depths of her heart she knew well that when the time came she would
not h