"Well, she came. We feared she wouldn't, for she is awfully selfish; but she did; she came, and we were so happy. It was, you know, liberation for us, for dear mother, poor darling, does take up such a lot of time. One of us has always to be with her, and sometimes two have to be with her, for father insists on her never being alone, and we are not rich like you, and cannot afford a hired nurse." "And who would give a hired nurse to one's mother?" said Mabel. "Well, anyhow, that is how it is; we wouldn't, of course, and Marcia came. She came last night. She is very staid, you know, not a bit like us." One of the boys shouted across to ask Clara when she would be finished and ready to make up a set. "I really cannot stay," said Clara. "Oh, you aren't a bit sympathising. I thought you would be; but I don't suppose any one will be. Well, she came, and she absolutely refused to give more than a little bit of her time to mother. We're to be tied as much as usual, and we cannot come to-night. You know Molly and I never do anything apart, and Molly won't be free, for mother is never settled till between nine and ten o'clock, and it would be much, much too late. We'll never be able to go anywhere. Marcia will manage that we're to be tied and bound as much as ever we were, and Marcia will have all the honour and glory. Oh dear, we can only be young once. I think Marcia might have remembered that-- Marcia, whose youth is quite over. I do think she might--I do!" "Poor Ethel," said Clara, with more sympathy. "It does seem hard. Well, we'll try and get some fun for you on your free days. After all she is your mother. Coming, Jim, coming. Sorry you can't be here to-night, Ethel; but we'll get up some fun again in a hurry. Now, cheer up, old girl, cheer up." CHAPTER SIX. THE JOY OF HER LIFE. The next morning passed somehow. The girls had decided that they would send Marcia to Coventry. They had made up their minds in a solemn conclave late the night before. "We daren't oppose her for the present," said Ethel, who had thought of this daring plan, "but we'll make her life so miserable that she just won't be able to bear it." "She used to be so affectionate; I remember that," said Molly. "She was very good to me when I had the measles. She used to sit in the room and never think of herself at all." "She caught them afterwards, don't you remember, horrid things?" said Nesta. "And I don't think I went to sit with her at all," said Molly. "It was rather piggish of you, wasn't it?" said Ethel. "Well, well; don't rake up my old faults now. Am I not sad enough? Do you really think, Nesta and Ethel, that we had best send her to Coventry? Do you mean really to Coventry?"