"Do you play or sing?" asked Lady Alice, for once taking the initiative.
"Yes, in a very amateur fashion."
"Then," with more animation, "perhaps you would play my accompaniments
for me; I always like to stand when I sing. Mrs. Ormonde says she
forgets her music. Is it not odd?"
"Well, people in India do as little as possible. I shall be very pleased
to play for you. Shall we practice to-morrow?"
"Oh yes; immediately after breakfast. There is really nothing to do
here."
"Immediately after breakfast I am going out with the boys--Mrs.
Ormonde's boys. Have you seen them? But we shall have plenty of time
before luncheon."
"Are you fond of children?" slowly, while her busy needle paused and she
undid a stitch or two.
"I am fond of these children; I do not know much about any other."
"Beverley's children (my eldest brother's) are very troublesome; they
annoy me very much." Silence while she took up her stitches again. "The
worst of this pattern is that if you talk you are sure to go wrong."
"Then I will find a book and not disturb you," said Katherine,
good-humoredly. She felt kindly and indulgent toward this gentle
helpless creature, who seemed so many years younger than herself, though
barely two, in fact.
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