Part 31 (1/2)

for parties.

' Jacomina put out a hand and caught hold of the wide skirt.

”Nanny won't let me have a pretty dress, she says it's a wicked waste

for a little girl.

' Alethea glanced at Nanny and smiled, glad that she couldn't understand. ”I'm sure we can persuade Nanny to change her mind,” she observed diplomatically.

”You see, you're not a little girl any more, you know how to keep your

clothes clean and I think it might be nice if you helped choose them too.

' Jacomina smiled widely.

Just for a moment she forgot that she didn't like Alethea.

”Oh, may I?

Would Papa mind?

' ”T don't think so, I'll ask him better still, we'll ask him

together.

' Sarel and Nanny had been standing silent.

What happened next took Alethea completely unawares.

Sarel picked up the vase of flowers on the mantelpiece, marched across

the room and threw it at Alethea's dress.

Fortunately he had aimed badly; the flowers missed altogether, only the water cascaded down the front of her lovely dress.

She stood like a statue for a second or two, unable to believe what had

happened, looking from Sarel to Jacomina and then at Nanny, who stood,

making no effort to do anything about it.

Why, she wanted him to do it, thought Alethea, she's not going to say a word.

At the same instant she made up her mind what she was going to do.

”That's just the sort of thing I do myself,” she said cheerfully.

”What good luck it's only water it'll dry, I'm sure.

I'll go and see what I can do.

' She even managed a smile, a smile which she kept pinned on her face

even when Sarel said roughly: ”I'm glad I hope your dress is spoilt I hope there's a great big stain!

You won't be able to wear it.

Papa will scold you.

' He went a little pale.

”You'll tell Papa?

' Alethea gave him a long, considered look.

”No, I don't sneak.

I know that you did it deliberately and I think that Nanny is as pleased as you are, but rest a.s.sured that I never tell tales, Sarel.

' She swept out of the room, leaving the door open and hurried back to her own room to examine the damage.

It wasn't too bad, but she would have to get it dry.

There was a hair dryer in the bathroom.

She switched it on and with infinite care and her heart in her mouth in case it should leave a mark, dried the great wet patch.