'
Gillian was too much used to noises not to be able to work an equation,
and prepare her Virgil, to the sound of scales, and Mysie was a good
deal restored by them and by hope.
So when at length Constance had been summoned by her sister, who tore
herself away from the arrangements, being bound to five-o'clock tea
elsewhere, Mysie was discovered with a face still rather woe-begone,
but hopeful and persevering, and though there still was a 'bill of
parcels' where 11 and 3/4 lbs. of mutton at 13 and 1/2d. per lb.
refused to come right, Lady Merrifield kissed her, said she had been a
diligent child, and sent her off prancing in bliss to the old 'still-
room' stove, where they were allowed a fire, basins, spoons, and
strainers, and where the sugar lay in a snowy heap, and the
blackberries in a sanguine pile.
'There's partiality!' thought Dolores, and scowled, as she stood at the
front door still gazing after Constance.
'Won't you come, Dolly?' said Mysie. 'Or haven't you learnt your
lessons?'
'No,' said Dolly, making one answer serve for both questions.
'Oh! then you can't. Shall I ask mamma to let you off?'
'No, I don't care. I don't like messes! And what's the use if you
haven't a cookery class?'
'It's such fun,' said Val.
'And our sisters did go to a cookery class at Dublin and taught Gill,'
added Mysie.
'But if you haven't done your lessons, you can't go,' said Valetta
decidedly.
Off they went, and Lady Merrifield presently crossed the hall, and saw
Dolores' attitude.
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