Sisters Three | Page 2

I am all alone; and then I feel quite old and
grown-up, and am just as badly off as you, and worse, because I'm the
youngest, and have to take third turn of everything, and wear your
washed-out ribbons! If only something would happen that was really
startling and exciting--!"
"I sink it's very naughty to wish like that!" A tiny, reed-like voice burst
into the conversation with an unexpectedness which made the three
sisters start in their seats; a small figure in a white pinafore crept
forward into the firelight, and raised a pair of reproachful eyes to
Norah's face. "I sink it's very naughty to wish like that, 'cause it's
discontented, and you don't know what it might be like. Pr'aps the
house might be burned, or the walls fall down, or you might all be ill
and dead yourselves, and then you wouldn't like it!"
The three girls looked at each other, undecided between laughter and
remorse.
"Mouse!" said Hilary, severely, "what are you doing here? Little girls
have no business to listen to what big people are saying. You must
never sit here again without letting us know, or that will be naughty too.
We don't mean to be discontented, Mouse. We felt rather low in our
spirits, and were relieving ourselves by a little grumble, that's all. Of
course, we know that we have really many, many things to be thankful
for--a nice house, and--ah--garden, and such beautiful country all round,
and--ah--good health, and--"
"And the bunnies, and the pigeons, and the new carpet in the dining-
room, and because the puppy didn't die--and--and--Me!" said the
Mouse, severely; and when her sisters burst into a roar of laughter she
proceeded to justify herself with indignant protest. "Well, it's the trufh!

The bunnies are pretty, and you said, `Thank goodness! we've got a
respectable carpet at last!' And Lettice cried when the little pup rolled
its eyes and squealed, and you said to Miss Briggs that I was only five,
and if I was spoiled she couldn't wonder, 'cause I was the littlest of
seven, and no one could help it! And it's `Happy New Year' and plum
pudding for dinner, so I don't sink you ought to be discontented!"
"You are quite right, dear, it's very naughty of us. Just run upstairs to
the schoolroom, and get tidy for tea, there's a good little Mouse. Shut
the door behind you, for there's a fearful draught." Hilary nodded to the
child over her shoulder, and then turned to her sisters with an
expressive shrug. "What a funny little mite she is! We really must be
careful how we speak before her. She understands far too well, and she
has such stern ideas of her own. Well, perhaps after all we are wrong to
be discontented. I hated coming to live in this quiet place, but I have
been ever so much stronger; I never have that wretched, breathless
feeling now that I had in town, and I can run upstairs to the very top
without stopping. You can't enjoy anything without health, so I ought
to be--I am!--very thankful that I am so much better."
"I am thankful that I have my two dear hobbies, and can forget
everything in playing and drawing. The hours fly when I can sit out of
doors and sketch, and my precious old violin knows all my secrets. It
cries with me, and sings with me, and shrieks aloud just as I would do
if I dared to make all the noise I want, when I am in a temper. I do
believe I could be one of the best players in the world if I had the
chance. I feel it in me! It is aggravating to know that I make mistakes
from want of proper lessons, but it is glorious to feel such power over
an instrument as I do when I am properly worked up! I would not
change places with any girl who is not musical!"
Lettice said nothing, but she lifted her eyes to the oval mirror which
hung above the mantelpiece, and in her heart she thought, "And I am
glad that I am so pretty. If one is pretty, everyone is polite and attentive;
and I do like people to be kind, and make a fuss! When we were at the
station the other day the people nudged each other and bent out of the
windows of the train as I passed. I saw them, though I pretended I

didn't. And I should look far nicer if I had proper clothes. If I could
only have had that fur boa, and the feather for my hat! But what does it
matter what I wear in this wretched place? There is no one to see me."