I have not been able to ask Aunt Lilias yet, and
Gillian was very cross about it.'
'What did she say?'
'She said she did not think Aunt Lilias approved of visiting and
gossiping on Sunday.'
'Oh! now. What does Gillian do herself?' said Constance in a hurt
voice. 'She does come and teach, certainly, but she stays ever so long
talking after the class is over. Why should we gossip more than she
does?'
'Yes; but people's own children can do no wrong.'
There Constance became inattentive. Mr. Poulter had come up, and
wanted to be useful, so she jumped up with a handful of nosegays to
instruct him in laying them by each plate, leaving Dolores to herself,
which she found dull. The other two, however, came back again, and the
work continued, but the talk was entirely between the gentleman and
lady, chiefly about music for the choral society, and the voices of the
singers, about which Dolores neither knew nor cared.
By one o'clock the long tables were a pretty sight, covered with piles
of fruit and cakes, vases of flowers and little flags, establishments
of teacups at intervals, and a bouquet and pretty card at every one of
the plates.
Then came early dinner at the house, and such rest as could be had
after it, till the pony-chaise, waggonette, and Mrs. Blackburne's
carriage came to the door to convey to church all whom they could
carry, the rest walking.
The church was a sea of neat round hats, mostly black, with a
considerable proportion of feathers, tufts, and flowers.
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