"Well, child, I cannot refuse. I will ring for Dinah."
"Yes, and she is good and strong--as good as her name. At present she is the sole caretaker of Henrietta Mostyn. I will just prepare you for the fact that she is a Quakeress."
"Oh, but I love them," said Maureen, her eyes shining.
"Here she comes then. Once she had the great privilege of helping to nurse your father. He had a sharp attack of fever at Felicity after the death of your dear young mother. Here she comes. Dinah, this is our Miss Maureen."
"Maureen O'Brien, I greet thee," said Dinah.
Dinah was an elderly woman. She wore the old-fashioned dress of her Order. She had a tight-fitting cap over her head, made of the softest, finest muslin. It was tied under her chin. Her eyes were like dove's eyes. She gave the instant impression of great peace.
Maureen looked at her and shivered a little. Then she said:
"And I to see thee, sweetest and best," said Dinah.
"But, hast thee the strength?" inquired Dinah.
"Then thou shalt assuredly come. Take my hand."
The house of Felicity was very large and rambling, and certain rooms were sound-proof. This was found to be necessary on account of the outrageous conduct of some of the naughty girls when they first arrived. Dinah, still holding Maureen's hand, stepped lightly on the highly polished floor. Then she opened a door. There was a little dark passage inside. She opened a second door, and Maureen suddenly heard the wild shrieking notes of a voice which she knew but too well.
"Dysy--Dysy--give us your answer, do! _Dysy_--_Dysy_--why, I say--get out of this, brat!"
"Thou wilt not speak words of this sort," said Dinah.
"But I will, pretty Quakeress," said Henny, who was still securely fastened in the punishment chair. "I say, where's the birch rod? Dinah, me honey, take care of thy money; it's all botheration from bottom to top."
"Maureen O'Brien has come to see thee," remarked Dinah. "Thou wilt treat her civilly."
"I'm peckish, peckish," said Henrietta. "I don't want to see the enemy, and I'm tied into this odious chair, so that I can't get _at_ her. I tell thee I'm just pining to scratch her face."
"Dinah, may I speak to Henrietta?" said Maureen.
She sat down at once and went on with her eternal sewing. She had her back slightly turned to the two girls.