such a way as to expose
all of her thin little legs.

"Come on," urged Pin. "Sarah's going to give me my bath while you're
with mother."

"Go away, Pin," said Laura snappily. "I told you yesterday you could
say Laura, and ... and you're more like a spider than ever."

"Spider" was another nickname for Pin, owed to her rotund little body
and mere sticks of legs--she was "all belly" as Sarah put it--and the
mere mention of it made Pin fly; for she was very touchy about her legs.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Laura sprang out of bed and,
waiting neither to wash herself nor to say her prayers, began to pull
on her clothes, confusing strings and buttons in her haste, and quite
forgetting that on this eventful morning she had meant to dress herself
with more than ordinary care. She was just lacing her shoes when Sarah
looked in.

"Why, Miss Laura, don't you know your ma wants you?"

"It's too late. I'm dressed now," said Laura darkly.

Sarah shook her head. "Missis'll be fine an' angry. An' you needn't
'ave 'ad a row on your last day."

Laura stole out of the door and ran down the garden to the
summer-house. This, the size of a goodly room, was formed of a single
dense, hairy-leafed tree, round the trunk of which a seat was built.
Here she cowered, her elbows on her knees, her chin in her hands. Her
face wore the stiff expression that went by the name of "Laura's
sulks," but her eyes were big, and as watchful as those of a scared
animal. If Sarah came to fetch her she would hold on to the seat with
both hands. But even if she had to yield to Sarah's greater
strength--well, at least she was up and dressed. Not like the last
time--about a week ago Mother had tried this kind of thing. Then, she
had been caught unawares. She had gone into Pin's warm place, curious
and unsuspecting, and thereupon Mother had begun to talk seriously to
her, and not with her usual directness. She had reminded Laura that she
was growing up apace and would soon be a woman; had told her that she
must now begin to give up childish habits, and learn to behave in a
modest and womanly way--all disagreeable, disturbing things, which
Laura did not in the least want to hear. When it became clear to her
what it was about, she had thrown back the bedclothes and escaped from
the room. And since then she had been careful never to be long alone
with Mother.

But now half an hour went by and no one came to fetch her: her grim
little face relax