Then her face broke into its perfect smile. "I
have a pretty dress, but even that one's very simple. Why should I
expose it beside your beautiful things?"
"Because it's the prettiest you have; for me you must always wear
the prettiest. Please put it on the next time. It seems to me they
don't dress you so well as they might."
The child sparingly stroked down her antiquated skirt. "It's a
good little dress to make tea- don't you think? Don't you believe papa
would allow me?"
"Impossible for me to say, my child," said the Countess. "For me,
your father's ideas are unfathomable. Madame Merle understands them
better. Ask her."
Madame Merle smiled with her usual grace. "It's a weighty
question- let me think. It seems to me it would please your father
to see a careful little daughter making his tea. It's the proper
duty of the daughter of the house- when she grows up."
"So it seems to me, Madame Merle!" Pansy cried. "You shall see how
well I'll make it. A spoonful for each." And she began to busy herself
at the table.
"Two spoonfuls for me," said the Countess, who, with Madame Merle,
remained for some moments watching her.
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