Having written much about her intentions at first starting, she was not
surprised when her aunt, on the first evening of her visit, settled
herself for a talk, and began--

"How is the reading going on? You were very sensible in saying that you
meant to begin at once on leaving school, so as not to get out of the
habit of work, and as you have now had three months I suppose you have
something to show for it?"

"Well, I thought I should have had, but, you see, the boys wouldn't let
me!"

"I don't see why you need have drawn the boys' attention to what you were
doing; but since they left--"

"The house has been full!"

"Yes, my dear, but as you generally do have visitors, your reading will
never flourish at this rate."

"Well, I couldn't neglect them."

"No; but they don't require entertaining before breakfast, do they?"

"No; but I was so sleepy."

"What time did you go to bed?"

"Well, I suppose I ought not to have stayed in Barbara's room, but Alice