elder sister suggested that they should do without some black cotton
dresses which the day before they had decided to buy and to make for
themselves.

"Such nonsense!" said Jasmine, stamping her little foot impatiently;
"you know we want the dresses, Primrose. You know poor Daisy can't run
and play in the garden in her black cashmere frock, and I can't dig or
weed. You know, when we decided to go on just as usual, just as if
mamma--was--was--"

Here Jasmine paused, gulped down a sob, and said, hastily, "We want
our print dresses, and we can't do without them. You are just
frightened, Primrose, by what Miss Martineau said."

"I am not at all frightened," answered Primrose, calmly; "only I think
we ought to be careful."

"And we are so rich, too," said Jasmine. "I never thought we had two
hundred pounds in the bank. Why it's heaps and lots of money.
Primrose, what are you so grave about?"

"Only," said Primrose, in her slow voice, "only Miss Martineau thought
it very, very little money. She looked so grave when she spoke about
it--indeed, she seemed almost sad. Jasmine, I really think Miss
Martineau quite loves us."

"Perhaps," said Jasmine, in an indifferent tone. "Well, Rose, if you
are quite determined to be shabby and saving, I may as well join Daisy
in the garden."