"She's not a bit pretty, so don't expect it," said Molly.
"We were brought up," said Merry a little stiffly, "not to regard looks as anything at all."
"Nonsense!" replied Molly. "Looks mean a great deal. I'd give I don't know what to be beautiful; but as I am not I don't mean to fret about it. Well, Maggie's downright plain; in fact--in fact--almost ugly, I may say; and yet--and yet, she is just Maggie; and you are not five minutes in her society before you'd rather have her face than any other face in the world. But the immediate question is: may she come this afternoon, or may she not?"
"Of course--of course she may come," said Cicely; "we'll be delighted, we'll be charmed to see her. This _is_ pleasant news!"
"I think, perhaps," said Merry, "we ought to go and ask mother. Don't you think so, Cis?"
"Of course we ought," said Cicely. "I forgot that. Just stay where you are, Molly, and I'll run to the house and find mother. It's only to ask her, for of course she will give leave."
Cicely ran off at once, and Merry and Molly were left alone.
"I know you'll be delighted with her," said Molly.
"It will be very delightful to see her," replied Merry.
"You must expect to be disappointed at first, all the same," continued Molly.
"Oh, looks do not matter one scrap," said Merry.
"Isabel and I are going to her school; you know that, don't you, Merry?"
"Yes," said Merry with a sigh. "What fun you do have at your different schools! Don't you, Molly?"
"Well, yes," said Molly rather gravely; "but it isn't only the fun; we see a lot of the world, and we mix with other girls and make friends."
"Mother prefers a home education for us, and so does father," remarked Merry. "Ah! here comes Cicely. She is flying down the terrace. Of course mother is delighted."
This proved to be the case. Mrs. Cardew would welcome any girl introduced to her daughters through her dear friend Mr. Tristram. She sent a further invitation for the three young people to remain to an impromptu supper, which was pleasanter than late dinner in such hot weather, and asked if Mr. and Mrs. Tristram would join them at the meal.
"Hurrah!" cried Molly. "That will be fun! I must be off now, girls. We'll be with you, all three of us, between four and five o'clock."