'I am sure of it. They were horrid, stuck-up, fine ladies, and looked
down on her, though she was ever so much nicer, and cleverer, and more
intellectual than they; and she looked down on them.'

'Are you sure?' asked Maude, to whom it was as good as a story.

'Yes, indeed. She was civil, of course, because they were father's
sisters, but I know she couldn't bear them. If any of them came to
London, there was a calling, but all very stupid, and a dining at Lord
Rotherwood's; but she never would, except once, when I can hardly
remember, go to stay at their slow places in the country. I've heard
father try to persuade her when they didn't think I understood. You
know we always went abroad, or to the sea or something, except last
year, when we were at Beechcroft. That wasn't so bad, for there were
lots of books, and Uncle Reginald was there, and he is jolly.'

'Can't you get Mr. Mohun to send you there?'

'No, I don't think they would have me, for every body there is grown
up, and father seems to have a wish for me to be with this Aunt Lilias,
because she has a schoolroom.'

'I wonder he should wish it, if she was unkind to Mrs. Mohun.'

'Well, she was out of the way most of the time. They have lived at
Malta and Gibraltar, and Belfast, and all sorts of places, so they will
all have regular garrison frivolous manner, and think of nothing but
officers and balls. I know she was a beauty, and wants to be one
still.'