Page:The Yellow Book - 08.djvu/227

"Now, that is really too bad of you," exclaimed Nancy with a carefully studied pout; "you know quite well———"

"Indeed, I appeal to you, Miss Moreen———"

"Don't listen to him, Jean."

"It doesn't seem to me to matter very much," said Jean with much composure; "I am very glad that I gave you so much to talk about."

They made another attempt to conciliate her.

"Do have some cake. It isn't bad," said Nancy invitingly.

"Or some more tea?" added Tom anxiously. "You must be so played out with your long day's work. Have the little brats been very trying?"

"Oh, you needn't worry about the little brats, thanks," said Jean, eating bread and butter voraciously for the sake of an occupation.

"Come nearer the fire," said Nancy coaxingly; "Mr. Unwin will move up that other chair."

"Of course," said Mr. Unwin with alacrity, glad of any excuse that removed him for a moment from the unpleasant scrutiny of her large cold eyes.

"You are both very kind to bother about me like this. I am really not used to it," said Jean with a hard little laugh. "Won't you go on with your conversation while I write a postcard?"

She made a place for her cup on the tea-tray, strolled across the room to the bureau, and sat down to look vacantly at a blank postcard. The other two seated themselves stiffly at opposite ends of the hearthrug, and manufactured stilted phrases for the ears of Jean.

"Your sister draws, I believe?"

"Oh, yes. Jean is fearfully clever, you know. She used to win prizes and things. I never won a prize in my life. Oh, yes; Jean is certainly very clever indeed.""I am