Chapter 18

[_Visitor gone; Mrs. A. starts for study. Enter Girl of Eight followed by Girl of Ten._]

_Duettino._

_Girl of Ten._ Mamma, _please_ give me my music lesson now, so I can go and skate; and then won't you _please_ make some jelly-cake? And see, my dress is torn, and my slate-frame needs covering.

_Girl of Eight._ Where are my roller-skates? Where is the strap? Can I have a pickle? Please give me a cent. A girl said _her_ mother wouldn't let her wear darned stockings to school. I'm _ashamed_ of my stockings. You might let me wear my new ones.

[_Mrs. A. gives music lesson; mends dress; covers slate-frame; makes jelly-cake and a pudding; goes to nursery and sends nurse down to finish ironing._]