ls, of course, because there is no one here who can take
them in hand. As for peace and quietness, father enjoys having the
house full. He grumbles at the noise sometimes, but I believe he likes
it at the bottom of his heart. If we do happen to be quiet for a change
in the evening, he peers over his book and says, `What is the matter;
has something gone wrong? Why are you all so quiet?' He loves to see
us frisking about."

"Yes, but I can't frisk any longer--I'm too dull--I want something to
happen," repeated Norah, obstinately. "Other people have parties on New
Year's Day, or a Christmas-tree, or crowds of visitors coming to call.
We have been sitting here sewing from ten o'clock this morning--nasty,
uninteresting mending--which isn't half done yet, though it is nearly
four o'clock. And you never think of me! I'm fifteen, and I feel it
more than either of you. You see it is like this. Sometimes I feel
quite young, like a child, and then you two are too proper to run about
and play with me, so I am all alone; and then I feel quite old and
grown-up, and am just as badly off as you, and worse, because I'm the
youngest, and have to take third turn of everything, and wear your
washed-out ribbons! If only something would happen that was really
startling and exciting--!"

"I sink it's very naughty to wish like that!" A tiny, reed-like voice
burst into the conversation with an unexpectedness which made the three
sisters start in their seats; a small figure in a white pinafore crept
forward into the firelight, and raised a pair of reproachful eyes to
Norah's face. "I sink it's very naughty to wish like that, 'cause it's
discontented, and you don't know what it might be like. Pr'aps the
house might be burned, or the walls fall down, or you might all be ill
and dead yourselves, and _then_ you wouldn't like it!"

The three girls looked at each other, undecided between laughter and
remorse.

"Mouse!" said Hilary, severely, "what are you doing here? Little girls
have no business to listen to what big people are saying. You must
never sit here again without letting us know, or that will be naughty
too. We don't mean to be discontented, Mouse. We felt rather low in
our spirits, and were relieving ourselves by a little grumble, that's
all. Of course, we know that we have really many, many things to be
thankful for--a nice house, and--ah--garden, and such beautiful country
all round, and--ah--good health, and--"