“Oh, Hetty, you do look so nice!” said Nell, dancing up to her.  “A gentleman over there asked me if you were my sister.  And I did not tell him you were going to be a governess.”

“You might have told him,” said Hetty.  “I don’t care.  I have been speaking to such a nice governess.  She is here in care of some little children.  I think she is the prettiest lady in the room; and she looks quite happy.  I wish I could turn out something like her.  Only I shall never remember the dates.”

Hetty sighed, and the next minute was whirled away into the dance again.

Now Phyllis had told herself over and over again in the course of the evening that she was very pleased poor Hetty should be enjoying the pleasure of this party, always adding a reflection, however, that she hoped she might not be spoiled by so foolish an indulgence.  “If I were going to be a governess,” thought she, “I should try to fit myself for the position.  Of course it is father’s and mother’s affair, but when one has a little brains one can’t help thinking, I believe if I were in mother’s position I should be wiser; but then, of course, I cannot have any things or people to manage till I am grown up.  It is the duty of a girl to do what she is told; afterwards people will have to do what she tells them.  When the time comes for me to be a mistress I shall take good care that everybody does what is right.”

These reflections occurred to Phyllis while she was sitting out a dance for which Hetty had got a partner.

Soon afterwards, while the breathless flock of young dancers were fanning themselves on the sofas, the lady of the house requested Hetty to recite or act something to amuse the company.

At this proposal Hetty was startled and dismayed.  It was a very long time since she had done anything of the kind, except for the amusement of Mark and Nell, and she had forgotten all the old stories and characters that used to be found so entertaining by grown people.  She felt a shyness amounting to terror at being obliged to come forward and perform before this company; and, besides, she was very sure that Mrs. Enderby would disapprove of her doing so.  She therefore begged earnestly to be excused, and retreated into a corner.  The lady of the house desisted for a time from her persuasions, but after another dance was finished she renewed her request.  Hetty’s distress increased, but she felt quite unable to explain to her hostess the reasons why it was impossible she could comply with her wishes.  She could only repeat: 

“I forget how to do it; indeed I do.  And Mrs. Enderby does not like it.”

“Mrs. Enderby would like you to please me,” said the hostess.  “And I cannot think you forget.  My daughters tell me you were most amusing last week when they saw you.”

“Was I?” said Hetty, dismayed.  “But that was in the garden and came by accident.  I could not do anything before all this crowd.”