It Pays to Be Good by Noel Streatfeild

Author:Noel Streatfeild
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Published: 2018-07-25T13:40:48+00:00

CHAPTER XII

“Oh, miss, are you awake? It’s goin’ on ’alf-past ten, and I thought— Oh, miss, have you seen the papers?”

Mouse opened one eye and stared sleepily at Mrs. Hodge.

“Somebody murdered someone?”

“Oh no, miss. It’s Miss Elk—Miss Virginia, I should say. Mr. Low’s sent round all the papers, his chauffeur brought them. Look, see this one, ‘Leon Low’s new find,’ and here’s another nice piece, ‘One of the loveliest girls that ever sprang to fame in a night.’ But there’s better yet—listen to this: ‘Looby ’erself was played by Virginia, a young girl of breath-catchin’ beauty, whether she could dance or sing I neither knew nor cared, it was enough to be allowed to look at ’er.’” Mrs. Hodge sighed. “Fancy wakin’ up to read that about yerself.”

Mouse turned the papers over.

“Dear, dear! Well, you better call the breath-catching beauty and give them to her to read.”

Mrs. Hodge gathered up the papers.

“You know if I was to read that about meself, it’d turn me head.”

“That’d be shock. These won’t upset Miss Virginia. I expect she’ll think they’re half-hearted.” She sat up. “Did you say it was nearly half-past ten when you came in? Hop along then, I’ve got to send a telegram, and when you’ve done your paper round, you might get us some breakfast.”

As the door shut she got out of bed and put on her dressing-gown, and rummaged round until she found half an envelope on which she had jotted down a telegram. ‘Please be at the flat two-thirty, I must see you. Flossie.’ She looked at it disapprovingly. It sounded a curt way for a daughter to wire to her mother, but she could not see how to improve it, so she picked up the telephone and dictated it. She went into the kitchen, Mrs. Hodge was just taking the coffee percolator off the stove.

“Is Miss Virginia awake?”

“Yes, dear, lookin’ a picture readin’ the papers.”

“Serve both breakfasts in her room.” She opened Flossie’s door. “Good morning. How’s Mother’s clever girl? You certainly have made a success.”

“Have I?” Flossie opened her eyes in a wide childish stare. “Do you really think so?”

Mouse sat on the bed with a bump.

“Don’t waste any of that big-eyed innocence. For an intelligent girl you are taking the hell of a time to grasp that your Auntie Mouse has you taped. Never waste a performance on me.”

Flossie wriggled into the sheets. “I don’t know what she means,” she said to herself; “of course she would be unkind this morning. Jealous, that’s what it is.”

Mrs. Hodge brought in the tray. She pulled up the table conveniently close to Flossie’s hand.

“Drink your coffee while it’s hot, dear, and eat a roll, they’re lovely and fresh, you need to keep your strength up; none of us stays young and beautiful for ever.” She turned to Mouse. “That’s right, isn’t it, dear?”

Mouse sighed.

“Must you address me in that personal manner, bringing a note of gloom into this morning of joy? But you’re right.” Mrs. Hodge went regretfully out of the door.

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