Part 52 (2/2)
She went up the narrow path and rang the front-door bell Tildy opened the door The new cook had been peeping above the blinds in the kitchen Tildy had hastily put on a white apron, but it is to be regretted that a smut was once more on her cheek Somehow, Aneta liked her all the better for that smut
”I want to see your ie, and I am, as you know, one of her schoolfellows”
”Lor', miss! yes, for certain, miss Mrs Martin 'll be that proud, ht my aunt with me,” said Aneta ”She would like to come in too in order to see Mrs Martin”
”Yes, miss; in course, miss There's no fire lit in the drawin'-room
But there's the dinin'-room; it do smell a bit smoky, for master 'e loves 'is pipe 'E smokes a lot in the dinin'-roo-room,” said Aneta She ran back to fetch Lady Lysle, and conducted that anant woman into the house
Tildy rushed upstairs to fetch her own in no time,lady who spoke to side of 'er as 'u'd make yer 'eart quake Ef Queen Victoria was alive I'd say yes, it was 'erself Never did I hty manner They're fine folks, both of 'eive their names?” asked Mrs Martin
”I didn't even arsk, ie”
”Well, I will go down What a queer, early hour for visitors! What dress shall I wear, Tildy?”
”I'd say the aant in it, ht 'ave your black lace shawl”
”I don't think I ear satin in the ,” said Mrs Martin
Tildy helped her into a dark-brown merino dress, one of her extensive trousseau Mrs Martin then went downstairs, prepared to show these visitors that she was ”as good as thee and horses which she got through the lobby- very nearly bowled her over
”Go in, h I can serve up an elegant lunch if you want it”
Tildy felt almost inclined to poke at her mistress in order to hurry her -room door and stood just for a minute on the threshold She looked at that entle, faded face and extrerace of dee She bowed, and looked at Aneta to speak for her
”How do you do, Mrs Martin,” said that young lady ”I ahter's schoolfellows My aunt, Lady Lysle”--Mrs
Martin bowed--”has kindly come with me to see you We want to have a little confidential talk with you”
”Oh, indeed!” said Mrs Martin ”Has Maggie done anything wrong? She alas a particularly troublesoree with you,” said Lady Lysle At that race and banished from Aylmer House, which pleased her
Mrs Martin stopped speaking when Lady Lysle said this
”Doubtless you agree with hter would do better at another school”
”Oh no,” said Mrs Martin; ”ish her--Bo-peep and I--I mean James and I--to stay where she is”
”And so do I wish her to stay where she is,” said Aneta--”Auntie darling, you don't quite understand; but Mrs Martin and I understand--Don't we, Mrs Martin?”
”Well, I am sure,” said Mrs Martin, ”I haven't the faintest idea what you are driving at, Miss--Miss Lysle”