'Oh dear!' sighed Fly, turning to Mysie as they rose from table, 'I am
so sorry! It would have been so nice; and I thought we were safe, as
mamma had written herself!'
'Ah! but my mamma hadn't accepted,' said Mysie.
Phyllis seemed to take this as final, and sighed, but Mysie presently
exclaimed, 'I say! can't we all play at Butterfly's Ball in the hall
after lessons?'
'Lessons?' said Fly; 'but it's holiday-time?'
'Mamma always makes us do a sort of little lesson, even in the
holidays, as she says we get naughty. But I suppose you need not; and
perhaps she will not make us now you are here.'
Colonel Mohun and Lord Rotherwood were going to Darminster to see what
was the state of the investigation about Mr. Flinders. They set out
directly after breakfast, and after the feeding of the pets, where
Valetta joined them, much consoled by the prospect of the extemporary
Butterfly's Ball at home, Lady Phyllis, with her usual ready
adaptability, repaired with the others to the schoolroom, where the
Psalms and Lessons were read, and a small amount of French reading in
turn from 'En Quarantaine' followed, with accompaniment of needlework
or drawing, after which the children were free.
Aunt Jane was going home to her Sunday school and the Rockstone
festivities. She came down for her final talk with her sister just in
time to perceive the folding up of three five-pound notes.
'Lily,' she said, with instant perception, 'I could beat myself for
what I told you yesterday.
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