Miss Dorinda knew she ought to be stern, but it was impossible, with the little childish face framed in its big cap-ruffle looking up into her own, and she said:
"About eight o'clock, dearie; are you hungry?"
"Yes, 'm; I'm 'most starved. The train was late last night, and I didn't get any supper."
"Why, you poor child! There, that's the rising-bell. Run right back to your room and dress; the breakfast-bell will ring in just thirty minutes. Can you be ready?"
"In thirty minutes? I should hope so!" said Ladybird, laughing.
Gathering up her dog, she stepped through the window and ran along the veranda roof to her own room.
Peeping in, she saw Martha staring in dismay at the empty bed.
"Hello, Martha," she cried gaily, "did you think I was lost? I've been calling on my aunt; it's such a lovely morning for visiting, you know. But I'm as hungry as a bear, and now I think I'll get dressed and go to breakfast."
She jumped into the room, and with Martha's assistance her toilette was soon made; then she seized her dog and went dancing down-stairs.
After wandering through several of the large rooms she came to the dining-room, where the breakfast-table was laid; seeing nothing to eat, she went on to the kitchen.
Bridget looked at her with no kindly eye, for she resented any intrusion on the quiet of Primrose Hall as much as Miss Priscilla did.
But when Ladybird said wistfully, "I'm very hungry," the good-hearted old cook fell a victim at once to the irresistible charm of the strange child.
"Are ye that, miss? And what would ye like now?"
"Oh, anything!--I don't care what; and if I go and sit at the table will you bring me something?"
"I will indeed, miss. Run along, thin, and set at the place forninst the side-board."
And so that's how it happened that when, a few minutes later, Miss Priscilla and Miss Dorinda came into the dining-room they found their guest ensconced at their table and apparently enjoying herself very much.
"Good morning, aunties," she said smilingly. "I ought to have waited for you, I know, but truly, I was so hungry I just couldn't. And Bridget brought me such lovely things! I never had strawberries and cream before. Do you always use these beautiful blue-and-white dishes? For if you don't, you needn't get them out just because I've come."