“Can you play lawn tennis?” asked Nell as they walked towards the tennis-ground.

“No, I never play at anything,” said Hetty sadly, “When not with—­my mamma,” she said with a flash of the eyes at seeing Phyllis looking at her, “I have always been alone.”

Miss Davis glanced at the child with pity, but Hetty, catching her eye, would not bear to be pitied.

“It is much pleasanter to be with grown people in the drawing-room,” she said.  “I should not like at all to live as you do.”

“Do you always wear such splendid frocks?” asked Phyllis, examining her from head to foot with critical eyes.

“Yes,” said Hetty.  “I have much finer ones than this; I am always dressed like a lady.  How can you bear to be such a sight in that ugly linen thing?”

“My dear, simple clothes are more becoming to children,” said Miss Davis, while Phyllis only curled her lip.  “If you lived more among those of your own age,” continued the governess, “as I hope you will henceforth do, you would find that little girls are much happier and more free to amuse themselves when dressed suitably to their age.  You shall see how we enjoy ourselves at tennis, as we could not do in dresses as rich as yours.”

Miss Davis and her pupils began to play tennis, and Hetty tried to join; but her dress was too warm and too tight to allow of her making much exertion, and so she was obliged to stand by and watch the game.  Seeing the great enjoyment of the players, Hetty began to feel the spirit of the game, and remembered how she had often longed to be one of the happy children whom she had seen at play in other scenes than this.  However, her belief that Phyllis was unfriendly towards her prevented her acknowledging what she felt.  Had only Nell and Miss Davis been present she would have begged the loan of a holland blouse and joined in the game with all her heart.  But Phyllis had a freezing effect upon her.

When the game was over they went indoors and Hetty was shown the pretty room prepared for her.  Polly had already unpacked her things, and on the bed were laid the handsome gifts which Mrs. Rushton had bought for Hetty to present to “her cousins.”

Hetty was now glad to see these presents which she had for a time forgotten, and thought she had now a good opportunity for making friends with the two girls.  She was really pleased to give pleasure to Nell, whom she liked, and was not sorry that Phyllis would be obliged to receive something from her hands.

The presents were both beautiful and both useful.  One was a desk, the case delicately inlaid, and the interior perfectly fitted up.  The other was an exquisitely carved and furnished work-box.

“Oh, give the desk to Phyllis; she is so much more clever than I am, and writes so well.  And I am fond of work.  Oh, you are a dear to give me such a charming present,” said Nell affectionately, examining the beautiful work-box with sparkling eyes.