"Of all the blessed angel children, Miss Sibyl beats 'em," she cried. "Not one of us has she forgot; dear lamb, even to my tooth and your sneezing fits, cook; and Watson, most special did she inquire for Mary Porter, the girl you're a-keeping company with. It's wonderful what a tender heart she do have." "That she have truly," said the cook, "and I'll make her some more queen-cakes to-morrow, and ice them for her, that I will. It's but to look at her to see how loving she is," continued the good woman. "How she'll live without the master beats me. The missus ain't worthy of her." This remark was followed by a sort of groan which proceeded from each servant's mouth. It was evident that Mrs. Ogilvie was not popular in the servants' hall. Sibyl meanwhile was enjoying her tea. "It's nearly five o'clock," she said, "father is sure to be in at six, don't you think so, Miss Winstead?" "He often doesn't come home till seven," answered Miss Winstead in a guilty voice, her hand shaking as she raised the teapot. "Why, what's the matter with you, Winnie dear," said Sibyl--this was her pet name for the governess; "you have got a sort of palsy, you ought to see a doctor. I asked Nurse what palsy was, and she said 'a shaking,' and you are all shaking. How funny the teapot looks when your hand is bobbing so. Do, Winnie, let me pour out tea." "Not to-night. I was thinking that after tea you and I might go for a little walk." "Oh, I couldn't, really, truly; I must wait in till father comes." "It is such a fine evening, that perhaps----" "No, no, I don't want to go." "But your mother has given me money; you are to buy anything you please at the toy-shop." This was a very great temptation, for Sibyl adored toys. "How much money?" she asked in a tentative voice. "Well, a good deal, a whole sovereign." "Twenty shillings," said Sibyl, "I could get a lovely doll's house for that. But I think sometimes I am getting tired of my dolls. It's so stupid of 'em not to talk, and never to cry, and not to feel pain or love. But, on the whole, I suppose I should like a new doll's house, and there was a beauty at the toy-shop for twenty shillings. It was there at Christmas-time. I expect it's a little dusty now, but I dare say Mr. Holman would let me have it cheap. I am _very_ fond of Mr. Holman, aren't you, Winnie? Don't you love him very, very much? He has such kind, sorrowful eyes. Don't you like him?" "I don't know that I do, Sibyl. Come, finish your tea, my dear." "Have you been trying to 'prove yourself very much while I was away?" said Sibyl, looking at her now in a puzzled way. "Prove myself?" "I can never say that whole word. _Im_prove is what I mean. Have you been trying?" "I always try, Sibyl."