Mary was picking French beans in the kitchen garden when Mamma and Aunt
Bella came along the path, talking together. The thick green walls of the
runners hid her.
"Mary is getting very precocious," said Mamma.
"That comes from being brought up with boys," said Aunt Bella. "She ought
to see more girls of her own age."
"She doesn't like them."
Mary shouted "Cuckoo!" to warn them, but they wouldn't stop.
"It's high time," Aunt Bella said, "that she should learn to like them.
The Draper girls are too old. But there's that little Bertha Mitchison."
"I haven't called on Mrs. Mitchison for two years."
"And why haven't you, Caroline?"
"Because I can't afford to be always hiring wagonettes to go to Woodford
Bridge."
"Cuckoo!"
"Caroline--do you think she could have heard?"
"Cuckoo, Aunt Bella! Cuckoo!"