'Yes, but we can't here, because of Aunt Jane.'

All this was chattered forth on the stairs before the two girls reached
the dining-room, where Mysie committed the feeding of her pets to Val,
and received the note, with fresh injunctions to come home by eleven,
and bring word whether Miss Hacket and Miss Constance would both come
to luncheon.

'Oh dear!' sighed Gillian, and there was a general groan round the
table.

'It can't be helped, my dear.'

'Oh no, I know it can't,' said Gillian, resignedly.

'You see,' said Mysie. 'Yes, come along, Basto dear. You see Gill has
to be--down, Basto, I say!--a young lady when-- Never mind him,
Dolores, he won't hurt. When Miss Constance Hacket and--leave her
alone, Basto, I say!--and she is such a goose. Not you, Dolores, but
Miss Constance.'

'Oh that dog! I wish you would not take him.'

'Not take dear old Basto! Why 'tis such a treat for him to get a walk
in the morning--the delight of his jolly old black heart. Isn't he a
dear old fellow? and he never hurt anybody in his life! It's only
setting off! He will quiet down in a minute; but I couldn't
disappoint him. Could I, my old man?'

Never having lived with animals nor entered into their feelings,