Page:Poor Cecco - 1925.djvu/150

134 “Gingham!” murmured the dolls, and they both shuddered.

“Don’t you mind them,” whispered Ida kindly.

“They’re only jealous because you’ve travelled more than they have. They’re quite nice when you really know them.”

“They’re stuck-up cats!” thought Jensina. “That’s what they are!”

She sat stiff and erect on the sofa, determined to keep silence, while the two dolls plied her with questions. They were curious, above all, to know what kind of a shop she came from.

“I was never in a shop,” Jensina retorted at last. “My people had nothing to do with trade. If you want to know, I am descended from a gypsy queen!”

“Descended is the right word!” said Virginia, while Gladys added: “I never knew there were gypsy queens.”

“Then you don’t know much,” said Jensina sharply, and turning her back on them as far as she could she began to unknot her bundle and arrange its contents on the sofa beside her, while Virginia and Gladys stared inquisitively whispering together.

“It must be very romantic being a queen!” simpered Anna coyly, thinking of the Lion. It was the first remark she had made and Jensina turned to stare at her.

“Why do you wear that bell round your neck?” she asked.