Page:The Lark - E Nesbit, 1922.djvu/6

Rh "Who's going to be asked to allow anything?" Jane said innocently. "Hasn't Fate arranged it all? Aren't all the grown-ups going to the Duchess's grand fête and gala—fireworks and refreshments free?"

"They're going to Lady Hendon's garden-party and dance, if that's what you mean," said Emmeline, rather coldly.

"That's right—stand by your class. Ah, these old aristocrats!" said Jane.

"Lord Hendon was beer, wasn't he?" Lucilla asked from the steps. "Or was it bacon? He looks rather like a ham himself."

"Well, anyhow, beer or bacon or ham, all the grown-ups will be out of the way. We're too young for these frantic dissipations. By the way"—her straight forehead puckered itself anxiously—"I'm not too young to try that, am I? It says nothing about age in the book. It just says 'any young maid or young bachelor.' I was fifteen last June."

"In James the First's time, when this book was born, girls were married at fifteen," Lucilla reassured her, "but I do hope you won't let that encourage you."

"I don't need encouragement. I'm just going to. I'll try that spell or I'll know the reason why. Don't be surly, Emmy; let's go down and arrange the lanterns now while the sun's shining, and get the candles and matches and have it all ready. Then we'll have that nice little quiet dinner your dear mother's ordered for us, and go to bed early just as she said. And then get up again. And then . . ."

"Don't," said Lucilla.

"But I shall," said Jane.

"Very well," said Lucilla with an air of finality, coming down the steps; "we have told you not to in at least seven different ways, because it was our duty, but if you really mean to—well, do, then! And I think it will be no end of a spree—if you don't walk into the mausoleum and begin to scream and bring the retainers down on us, or do anything else silly that'll get Emmy into rows."

"She won't do that," said Emmeline, "We shan't go