had been expected, but were obliged to sit a great part of the time
in the drawing-room, putting Chinese puzzles together into stupid
patterns, and playing at fox-and-goose, while the ladies were talking
"grown-up conversation," as No. 6 worded it, among themselves; and,
of course, being on their own good behaviour, and very quiet, they
could not help hearing what was said. "And, oh dear, Aunt Judy,"
continued No. 6, now with both her arms holding Aunt Judy, of whom
she was very fond, (except at lesson times!) round the waist, "it was
so odd! No. 7 and I did nothing at last but listen and watch them;
for little Miss, who sat with us, was shy, and wouldn't talk, and it
was so very funny to see the ladies nodding and making faces at each
other, and whispering, and exclaiming, how shocking! how abominable!
you don't say so! and all that kind of thing!"

"Well, but what was shocking, and abominable, and all that kind of
thing?" inquired Aunt Judy.

"Oh, I don't know--things the nurses, and cooks, and boys in buttons
did. Almost all the ladies had some story to tell--all the servants
had done something or other queer--but especially the cooks, Aunt
Judy, there was no end to the cooks. So one day after we came back,
and we didn't know what to play at, I said: 'Do let us play at
telling Cook Stories, like the ladies at -- .' So we've dressed up,
and played at Cook Stories, ever since. Dear Aunt Judy, I wish you
would invent a Cook Story yourself!" was the conclusion of No. 6's
account.

So then the mystery was out. Aunt Judy's wonderings were cut short.
Out of the real life of civilized intelligent society had come those