Dinah had left the door open, that the fresh air might course freely
through the room, and Gertrude coming, some minutes later, in search of
her friend, stood watching Elsie for a little unperceived.
"Dear me!" she exclaimed at length, "how many times a day do you pore over
that book?"
Elsie looked up with a smile as sweet as the morning, "I am allowed to
read it as often as I please."
"Allowed? not compelled? not ordered?"
"No, only I must have a text ready for mamma every morning."
"Getting one ready for to-morrow?"
"No, just reading. I had time for only a verse or two before my ride."
"Well, that would be plenty for me. I can read it, too, as often as I
like, but a chapter or two on Sunday, generally does me for all the week.
There's the bell; come let's go down."
Vi met them at the door of the breakfast-room. "Oh, Elsie, did you have a
pleasant ride? Is Sally Gibson coming soon?"
"I don't know; mamma said I need not wait for an answer."
There was time for no more, and Vi must put a restraint upon herself,
repressing excitement and curiosity for the present, as mamma expected her
children to be very quiet and unobtrusive at table when away from home.
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