'
'Yes,' said Dolores. 'Mother earned money for him. I know she never
took father's without asking him; but I couldn't earn, and couldn't
ask.'
Lady Merrifield kissed her, for very joy, to hear no sullenness in her
tone; and then all went to church together on the New Year's day that
was to be the beginning of better things. Lord Rotherwood had just
time to go before meeting the train which was to take him to High
Court, leaving his Fly too much used to his absences to be distressed
about them, and, in fact, somewhat crazy about a notion which Gillian
had started that morning, of getting up a little play to surprise him
when he came back for Twelfth Day, as he promised to do.
Mamma declared that if it was in French, and the words were learnt
every morning before half-past eleven, it should supersede all other
lessons; but such was the hatred of the whole boy faction to French,
that they declared they had rather do rational sensible lessons twice
over than learn such rot, and this carried the day. The drama proposed
was that one in an old number of 'Aunt Judy,' where the village mayor
is persuaded by the drummer to fine the girls for wearing lace caps.
The French original existed in the house, and Fly started the idea that
the male performers should speak English and the female French; but
this was laughed down.
In the midst Uncle Reginald came to the door and called, 'Lilias, can
you speak to me a minute?'
Lady Merrifield went out into the hall to him.
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