t so clever that she does not need to be taught.
Sylvia has told us that you could teach Bridgie better than anyone else.
She is the best meaner in the world, is Bridgie, but it comes natural
to her to forget. Sylvia said it was wonderful the way you managed the
house. You could find the blue-bag in the dark!"

"Find--the blue-bag--in the--dark! Why should I find the blue-bag in
the dark? What do I want with it in the dark? The blue-bag! Why
should I look for the blue-bag?" cried Miss Munns, all anxiety to fathom
the meaning of this perplexing statement.

The most elaborate explanations on Sylvia's part failed to solve the
mystery, and she kept on reiterating, "Why blue-bag?" in tones of
baffled curiosity, while Sylvia lay back in her chair and sighed, and
raised her eyebrows and stared hopelessly at the corner of the ceiling.
It was a trying moment, but Pixie entered gallantly into the breach, and
succeeded in diverting attention into another channel.

"It was just to shame us beside you, because we couldn't find it in the
light. The sugar-basin would have done just as well. My family had
gone on spending money when there was none to spend, until now at last
it's all gone, and Jack says we must begin to be careful. Bridgie
thought maybe if you would give her a hint it would be useful, as she
has no one to teach her."

"I never earned a sovereign in my life, but I should be afraid to say
how many I have saved!" said Miss Munns complacently. "There is nothing
wasted in my house, my dear, and I should be only too thankful to tell
your sister the way your servants behave when her back is turned. The
light is flaring in their bedroom until after eleven at night, and I've
seen them myself running after the grocer's lad to give him extra
orders. Does your sister allowance them in butter and sugar? Depend
upon it, if she doesn't, they eat twice as much as they should.

"If she brings her books over to me, I will tell her exactly what
quantities she ought to order. It's hard on a young man like your
brother to have to provide for such a long family. I suppose you will
be doing something for yourself in a couple of years when you are old
enough to go about alone. You will be able to turn your education to
account, and give lessons in the French language. You look more French
than English, as it is, and have just their way of twisting yourself
about as you talk."

"Aunt Margaret!" cried Sylvia reproachfully