"WE'RE TO HAVE A GOVERNESS"
"Miss Jill, your sister wants to speak to you."
Jill was curled up on the nursery hearthrug, reading a story-book, and
sucking peppermints. She had a slight cold, and had not accompanied Jack
and Bumps in their daily walk with nurse. She jumped up with alacrity.
"Where is she, Annie? Not in the drawing-room?"
"No, in the library," answered the nursery-maid.
Jill dashed down-stairs, and burst open the library door very noisily. She
drew back when she saw a strange young lady in earnest conversation with
her sister; and she was conscious of a rough head of hair, a buttonless
shoe that was being trodden under heel, and some very sticky fingers.
Mona turned round.
"This is one of them, Miss Falkner. Shake hands with this lady, Jill."
Jill kept her hands behind her back.
"They're sticky," she said, staring at Miss Falkner in wonder.
"Never mind," said Miss Falkner with a smile. "You are fond of
peppermints, are you?"