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Updated: May 12, 2025
"Clump! clump!" came the sound of heavy feet up the loft ladder. Lilac let the glass fall at her side, and turned a terrified gaze on Agnetta. "Oh, what's that?" she cried. "Let me hide don't let anyone see me!" Agnetta burst into a loud laugh. "Well, you are a ninny, Lilac White. Are you goin' to hide from everyone now you've got a fringe? You as are goin' to have your picture took.
Agnetta advanced slowly to meet her with the empty basin in her hand, and unlatched the gate. "Whatever's the matter?" she asked. Lilac could not answer just at first, for she had been running a long way, and her breath came in short gasps. She came to a standstill under the trees, and Agnetta stared gravely at her with her mouth wide open. The two girls formed a strong contrast to each other.
"I know she means to go, though," said Agnetta. "Well, I must look about for a girl for the dairy, I s'pose," said Mrs Greenways sadly. "I won't give it to Molly again. And a nice set they are, giggling flighty things with nothing but their ribbons and their sweethearts in their heads."
In the living room, where tea was ready on the table, Mrs Greenways and her two daughters waited the coming of the farmer, Agnetta eyeing a pot of her favourite strawberry jam rather impatiently, and Bella, tired with her stitching, leaning languidly back in her chair with folded arms. "Lilac ain't said nothing to either of you, I s'pose?" began Mrs Greenways.
"Lor'!" she said, "don't it look mournful! I should think you'd be glad to get away." Lilac did not answer. "What's this?" asked Agnetta, pouncing on the needlework which the two women had left on the table. "It's a frock for me," said Lilac. "Mrs Leigh give it to me." Agnetta held the skirt out at arm's length and looked at it critically.
Agnetta had a stolid face with a great deal of colour in her cheeks; her hair was black, but at this hour it was so tightly done up in curl papers that the colour could hardly be seen. She wore an old red merino dress which had once been a smart one, but was now degraded to what she called "dirty work", and was covered with patches and stains.
"I'll never have 'em made different," she cried with a sudden flash in her eyes; "I never, never will." And then to Agnetta's great surprise she suddenly burst into tears. Agnetta stood staring at her, puzzled. She was sorry, only what had made Lilac cry just now when she had been quite calm hitherto? "Don't take on so," she ventured to say presently; "and you'll spoil your black.
"Lilac," said her aunt, "just run and fetch your uncle's slippers." She was already on her way when the farmer took his pipe out of his mouth and looked round. He had been moody and cross all supper-time, and now he glanced angrily at his two daughters as they sat whispering in the corner. "It's someone else's turn to run, it seems to me," he said; "Lilac's been at it all day. You go, Agnetta."
I suppose you think things are done in the house without heads or hands either. Girls indeed! There's Agnetta, knows no more nor a baby, and only that little bit of a Lilac as can put her hand to anything." Finding his efforts useless, Mr Greenways shrugged his shoulders and went out, leaving his wife alone with her perplexities. The more she thought them over the worse they seemed.
When the other children crowded round Lilac with pleased faces Agnetta held back, and had not one kind word to say, but refusing an advances flung herself away from her companions and rushed home full of wrath. Lilac looked after her wistfully; it hurt her to think that Agnetta could behave so. "After all," she said to herself, "I couldn't help them choosing me, and I did offer to give it up."
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