nodded very mysteriously, and was about to suit her actions to her
words and disclose the ribbons in question, when Diana, with a
promptitude quite splendid, administered a banana. Sara ate some
with relish, paused, and said in a loud voice, subdued by banana,
"jormalies." She was not going to be put off with a banana.

Betty was very much shocked, and with a face of virtuous
indignation whispered in my ear, "Sara means-" I hastily stopped
Betty because her whispers are louder than Sara's loudest
conversation and very much more distinct. And after all there is
everything in the way a word is pronounced. Without any context I
think "jormalies" might pass anywhere as a perfectly right and
proper word, to be used on any occasion.

Hugh, too, had something to say on the absorbing topic of ribbons,
and on such a subject I thought he might safely be trusted. On
what an unsafe foundation is built the faith of an aunt!

"Aunt Woggles," he said, "has got pink ribbons in her nightie;
it's lovely, and she doesn't do her hair in funny little things
like --"

Here David distracted Hugh's attention by telling him an absolute
untruth concerning a fox to be seen out of the window. The first
of April is the only day in the whole year on which the word "fox"
won't take him flying to the window.

Betty, perhaps by way of changing the conversation, said, "You did
eat my cake, didn't you, Aunt Woggles?"