Summary

One afternoon, the Burnell children return home from school and, because they have visitors, Isabel and Lottie go to change their clothes. Kezia remains outside, stationed at the back of the house and playing on the white gates at the entrance of the courtyard. Kezia sees two figures walking toward her and realizes that they are the Kelvey sisters. She hesitates, not knowing what to do after her mother forbid her from inviting them to see the doll's house. Nevertheless, Kezia swings to the other side of the gate and says hello to the Kelveys. They do not say anything to Kezia, but Lil smiles and Kezia invites them into the courtyard to see the doll's house. Lil shakes her head as if to say "no," but Kezia presses on, saying that it doesn't matter what her mother has said because nobody is...