sagreeable, but I never, never
meant to--give myself airs!"

"But you did though, all the same," cried Thomasina briskly. "Bless me,
yes! The way you came into a room, the way you walked out, the way you
looked at your food, and turned it over on your plate, the way you eyed
the other girls up and down, down and up--it all said as plainly as
print `I'm Her Royal Highness of Chester, and I won't have any dealings
with the likes of _You_!' If you had been a Princess of the blood you
couldn't have put on more side, and so, of course, we judged your words
by your actions, and thought you were bragging when you meant nothing of
the sort. Now, just make up your mind, like a sensible girl, to forget
your own importance, and don't always be on the lookout for insults to
your dignity. Your dignity will look after itself if it's any good, and
you'll be a heap happier if you give up coddling and fussing over it all
day long. There was that little matter of the pigtail the other
morning! It wasn't my wish that you should tie back your hair. I don't
mind telling you that it's much less becoming than it was, but I was
simply acting as the mouthpiece of Miss Bruce, as you might have known
if you had taken one minute to consider. Your friend, Dorothy What-
ever-she-calls-herself, behaved like a sensible girl, and did as she was
told without making a fuss, but you must needs work yourself into a
fury. You'll have a fit one of these days if you are not careful. You
are just one of those fair, reddy people who are subject to apoplexy, so
don't say I didn't warn you. When we went down to breakfast I tried to
be friendly, just to show there was no ill-feeling, and you went and
starved yourself rather than accept a crumb from my hands. It reminded
me awfully of my little cousin of three. When he is made to do what he
doesn't like, he refuses to eat his bread and milk. He seems to think
he is punishing us somehow; but, bless your heart, _we_ don't mind! We
know he is strong and hearty, and that it will do him no harm to starve
once in a way. I wasn't in the least anxious about you, but I don't
want you to go on feeling wretched in my house, so I'll do my best to
consider your feelings. I warn you, however, I can't stop chaffing. If
I think of a funny thing to say, I _must_ say it or burst, and if you
don't like it you can comfort yourself by thinking that it's for your
good, and will teach you to control your temper. If you