Part 4 (2/2)
”What dress, Maria?” her sister went on; for Mrs. Englefield was busy with the letter.
”My new merino. It is almost done; it only wants finis.h.i.+ng.”
”There's all the braid to put on, isn't there?”
”Well, that isn't much. Mamma, cannot I have my red merino finished before they come? I have got nothing to wear.”
”What can you mean, Maria? You have everything you want. That is only for your best dress.”
”But, mamma, it is just when I should want it, when they come; you'll be having everybody to tea. Won't you have it done for me? please, mamma?”
”I think you can do it for yourself, Maria. I have no objection to your finis.h.i.+ng it.”
”I cannot put on that braid--in that quirlicue pattern, mamma; I never did such work as that; and I haven't time, besides.”
”Nor inclination,” said Let.i.tia, laughing. ”Come, Maria, it is time you learned to do something for yourself. Matilda, now, might plead inexperience, and have some reason; but you are quite old enough.”
The dispute would have gone on, but Mrs. Englefield desired silence, and the family drew round the tea-table. Other plans for the following weeks filled every tongue. Mrs. Candy was well off; a widow with one child, her daughter Clarissa; she had been in Europe for several years; coming back now to her own country, she was bending her steps first of all to her sister's house and family.
”We shall have the new fas.h.i.+ons, straight from Paris,” Anne remarked.
”Has Aunt Candy been in Paris? I thought she was in Scotland, mamma?”
”People may go to Paris, if they have been in Scotland, Maria. It is not so far as around the world.”
”But has she been in Paris?”
”Lately.”
”Mamma, what is Aunt Candy going to do with herself when summer comes?
She says, 'till summer.'”
”When she tells us, I shall know, Letty. At present I am as ignorant as you.”
”Do you think she will buy a house here, and make her home here?”
”That depends on how well she likes Shadywalk, I imagine.”
”I hope she will!”
”I would like to see, first, what she is,” said Maria. ”We shall have time enough for that, if they stay with us till summer. How old, mamma, is Clarissa Candy?”
”Over your age, Maria, by a year or so.”
”Will she go to school with us, do you suppose, mamma?”
”I really cannot tell, Maria. I think it very likely.”
<script>