Where's Gillian?'
Gillian appeared on the stairs in her own person at the moment. She
said Mrs. Halfpenny had called her, and told her that 'Miss Dollars'
was crying, and that she did not think the child ought to be left alone
long to fret herself, but Saturday morning needments called away nurse
herself, so she had ordered in Miss Gillian as her substitute. Gillian
was reading to her, and had only come away to make her farewells to
Aunt Jane.
'That is right, my dear,' said her mother; 'I will come and sit with
her after luncheon.'
For the whole youthful family were to turn out to superintend the
replantation of the much-enduring fir, which, it was hoped, might
survive for many another Christmas.
However, Lady Merrifield could not keep her promise, for a whole party
of visitors arrived just after the children's dinner was over.
'And it's old Mrs. Norgood,' sighed Gillian, looking over the
balusters, 'and she always slays for ages!'
'One of you young ladies must bide with Miss Dollars,' said Nurse
Halfpenny, decidedly, 'or we shall have her fretting herself ill
again.'
'Oh, nursie, can't you?' entreated Gillian.
'Me, Miss Gillian! How can I, when Miss Primrose is going out with the
whole clamjamfrie, and all the laddies, into the wet plantations? Na--
one of ye maun keep the lassie company. Ye've had your turn, Miss
Gillian, so it should be Miss Mysie. It winna hurt ye, bairn, ye that
hae been rampaging ower the house all the morning.
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