"No, your sister does not think she can afford it. I am sure she
might. Her expenses must be nothing." All this had been no
preparation for full sisterly confidence with "Sister," even when a
sort of grudging gratitude was extracted, and Agatha had been quite
old enough to imbibe an undefined antagonism, though, being a
sensible girl, she repressed the manifestations, kept her sisters in
order and taught them not to love but to submit, and herself remained
in a state of civil coolness, without an approach beyond formal signs
of affection, and such confidence.

It was the more disappointing to Magdalen, because Agatha and Paulina
both showed so much unconscious likeness to their father, not only in
features, but in little touches of gesture and manner. She longed to
pet them, and say, "Oh, my dears, how like papa!" but the only time
she attempted it, she was met by a severe, uncomprehending look and
manner.

And Agatha went away to Oxford without any thawing on her part.

The only real ground that had been gained was with little Thekla, who
was soon very fond of "Sister," and depended on her more and more for
sympathy and amusement. Girls of seventeen and sixteen do not
delight in the sports of nine-year-olds, except in the case of
special pets and protegees, and Thekla was snubbed when a partner was
required to assist in doll's dramas, or in evening games. Only
"Sister" would play unreservedly with her, unaware or unheeding that
this was looked on as keeping up the metier of governess. Indeed,
Thekla's reports of schoolroom murmurs and sneers about the M.A. had
to be silenced. Peace and good will could best be guarded by closed
ears. Yet, even then, Thekla missed child companionship, and, even