"Nina--I am _shocked_ to hear you speak in that tone! When I consider the expense I go to, to give you the luxury of _such_ an excellent governess--such a friend--such a companion, I am _amazed_ at your remarks!" "Oh, well,"--said Nina, who did not wish to speak against Miss Carlton, for that would not do at present--"a holiday is a change to any girl, and we're going to sit out in the garden and hem the flounces of those little cheap frocks you gave us to wear at the seaside." "What little cheap frocks, my dear? I am not aware that I gave you any frocks." "But that precious Brenda bought them for us out of your money." "Oh, you mean your nice cottons that you are to wear at Marshlands-on-the-Sea. Well, child, I did the best I could, and I think it is unkind of you to talk to me about cheap frocks; for when I allowed the sum of three pounds for each of my daughters, I could not afford more. It was a great, great deal of money, Nina, and so you will find yourself when you come to earn it." Nina had just got the information she desired. But all she said was--raising solemn eyes to her father's face: "The frocks _are_ cheap--they cost sixpence three farthings a yard!" Mr Amberley got up impatiently. "I have got to study a passage from Josephus," he said, "which has puzzled me for some little time; and I don't care a penny piece whether your frocks cost six-and-sixpence or sixpence halfpenny a yard. I don't know what a yard means. Leave me now, Nina. I am quite cool, and shall set to work to write a specially good sermon for Sunday. The parishioners want a new sermon, for I have given them the old ones for over a year and I am in the mood to-day. Dear Brenda sometimes helps me with my sermons, but of late I have not found her amenable in that respect. She has a most lively imagination and often throws a fresh light on a text which I myself do not perceive. But go away and hem your frills, and be thankful that you have a good father who can allow you a nice sum each to buy clothes, and an excellent--most excellent governess, who devotes herself to you." "She will be home at twelve to-night: are you going to sit up for her?" said Nina. "Of course I am--poor girl. Do you think I wouldn't do what I could to show how I appreciate her--how we all appreciate her? I am going to make her a Welsh rabbit for her supper: it is the one dainty that I can make to perfection." "Oh, papa!" said Nina, bursting out laughing; "I don't believe there's a scrap of cheese in the house!" The Reverend Josiah made no response to this, but a slightly knowing expression crossed his sandy face, and Nina had to leave him. In truth, she did not want to stay any longer, for she had got the information she desired.