Page:The Lark - E Nesbit, 1922.djvu/111

112 to kiss and be friends the moment you say so, just as if nothing had happened."

"I know I do! And it's not fair! But she is going to forgive me and kiss and be friends all the same, isn't she? I am a little beast, Luce."

"Don't be so superior. You go into these rages and then you make a merit of apologising for them. You positively wallow and revel in apologies."

"I know," said Jane again. "It's the very least I can do. It's very aggravating for you, but it's the only really satisfying thing for me. If you weren't an angel, Luce, you'd never stand me for a day."

"That's right," said Lucilla, "now try flattery!"

"No—but look here!" said Jane earnestly. "Do let's make it up. Because we've got such lots to talk over. And really, it is rather awful about that boy coming on Sunday to tea. I didn't at all mean to ask him, but I lost my temper and I lost my head—no, I'm not wallowing—and I simply couldn't stop myself. I wish I hadn't."

"And whatever made you ask him to Cedar Court?"

"I thought it seemed less intimate. I do wish I hadn't."

"Couldn't we get out of it? Write and put him off?"

"We haven't his address. No, events must take their course. We needn't have him for a gardener. But perhaps we really can help him. Perhaps he'll tell us more about himself. Do you remember, Lucy, the first day we went to Cedar Court—not the dark day, but when we first saw the garden, and you said what have we done to deserve this? Perhaps we shall deserve it a little bit if we help the wretched Dix."

"If we're going in for philanthopy [sic]," Lucilla said, "I think it would be better to begin with ugly old women—not with handsome young men."

"So you did think him handsome?"

"I thought he had a"

"Not a nice, kind face! No" "No. I was going to say an almost classic profile.