'I should like to have cried for you, mamma' she said, 'but they were
all quite used to it, and not a bit tired. However, Cousin Florence
came in, and she was so kind. She took me to the little west room, and
made me lie on the sofa, and read to me till I went to sleep, and I was
all right after dinner and had a ride on Fly's old pony, Dormouse. She
has the loveliest new one, all bay, with a black mane and tail, called
Fairy, but Alberta had that. Oh it was so nice.'
Altogether Lady Merrifield was satisfied that her little girl had not
been spoilt for home by her taste of dissipation, though she did not
hear the further confidence to Dolores in the twilight by the
schoolroom fire.
'Do you know, Dolly, though Fly is such a darling, and they all wanted
to be kind as well as they knew how, I came to understand how horrid
you must have felt when you came among the whole lot of us.'
'But you knew Fly already?'
'That made it better, but I don't like it. To feel one does not
belong, and to be afraid to open a door for fear it should be
somebody's room, and not quite to know who every one is. Oh, dear! it
is enough to make anybody cross and stupid. Oh, I am so glad to be
back again.'
'I'm sure I am glad you are,' and there was a little kissing match.
'You'll always come to my room, won't you? Do you know, when Constance
came to luncheon, I only shook hands, I wouldn't try to kiss her. Was
that unforgiving?'
'I am sure I couldn't,' said Mysie; 'did she try?'
'I don't think so; I don't think I ever could kiss her; for I never
should have said what was not true without her, and that is what makes
Uncle Reginald so angry still.
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