refused to come right, Lady Merrifield kissed her, said she had been a
diligent child, and sent her off prancing in bliss to the old 'still-
room' stove, where they were allowed a fire, basins, spoons, and
strainers, and where the sugar lay in a snowy heap, and the
blackberries in a sanguine pile.

'There's partiality!' thought Dolores, and scowled, as she stood at the
front door still gazing after Constance.

'Won't you come, Dolly?' said Mysie. 'Or haven't you learnt your
lessons?'

'No,' said Dolly, making one answer serve for both questions.

'Oh! then you can't. Shall I ask mamma to let you off?'

'No, I don't care. I don't like messes! And what's the use if you
haven't a cookery class?'

'It's such fun,' said Val.

'And our sisters did go to a cookery class at Dublin and taught Gill,'
added Mysie.

'But if you haven't done your lessons, you can't go,' said Valetta
decidedly.

Off they went, and Lady Merrifield presently crossed the hall, and saw
Dolores' attitude.