"I wish, Fanchon," said the governess, "that you would not give me an inventory of my clothes whenever you speak to me. I suppose I must be dressed like other people, mustn't I?" "Of course," said Fanchon. "Well, let us leave the dress alone. How did you get on with your sister? was she as nice as that dead-and-gone body--whatever her name is?" "Oh, she was wonderful!" said Brenda, with real enthusiasm. "She has a real gift for acting, there's no doubt of that." "I suppose you'll tell us about it sometime, won't you?" "I am telling you now--what do you mean by sometime?" "I mean," said Fanchon, "that Nina and Joey and I want all the particulars, not just a few bare facts, but every little tiny incident made as full as possible; and in especial, we are anxious to know if you met any _he's_, and if you did meet one special _he_; and in that case, what _he_ said to you, and what you said to him--a sort of `consequence' game, you understand. And in particular, we want to learn the compliments he paid you; for some day, when we three are dressed like you in pale blue silk, etc, we may have similar compliments ourselves. That is what we want to know." "What _is_ the matter with you, Fanchon?" said her governess. "Do you like your breakfast, Brenda?" was Fanchon's response. "Not much," answered Brenda crossly. "The bread is stale; there is no butter, and the egg is uneatable. I must jump up at once in order to attend to the housekeeping." "You needn't, really, Brenda. Joey went round to the shops this morning and ordered things in. We're going to have a couple of ducks for dinner, and green peas--" "What _do_ you mean?" said Brenda, her eyes flashing. "A couple of ducks and green peas! You know how expensive ducks are." "I don't," said Fanchon calmly--"all I know about them is that they are good to eat and Joey has ordered them. Oh--and we're going to have raspberry and currant pie too, and a lot of cream with it--" "And you expect _me_ to pay for these luxuries out of the housekeeping money?" "Of course we do, Brenda--who else would pay for them?" "But I tell you I can't--you don't understand how little your father gives me; it is absolutely impossible--you must countermand that order _at once_, Fanchon--go and do it this minute while I get up. I shall send cook out presently for a bit of steak, and potatoes from the garden will do; there are no peas, and it is the height of extravagance to buy them." "You'll be a great deal too late, for they are all in the house; and I think cook has put the ducks in the oven. Anyhow," continued Fanchon, suddenly changing her tone, "I don't mean to stop either Joey or Nina. They're buying food--proper food--for us, and you've got to pay for it." "I don't understand you--you are exceedingly impertinent. I must speak to your father."