I am covered with blue mould.

Do you remember how that horrid Lady Carbury used to laugh at the country squires' daughters for being provincial?
I have gone a peg lower than being provincial--I have become parochial." A knock came at the door, and Fraeulein's mild, musical face appeared in the aperture.
"I fear to disturb you," she said, "but Regie say he cannot go to sleep till he see you." Hester introduced Fraeulein to Rachel, and slipped down-stairs to the night nursery.
Mary and Stella were already asleep in their high-barred cribs.

The blind was down, and Hester could only just see the white figure of Regie sitting up in his night-gown.

She sat down on the edge of the bed and took him in her arms.
"What is it; my treasure ?" "Auntie Hester, was I naughty about the flying half-penny ?" "No, darling.

Why ?" "Because mother always says not to put pennies in my mouth, and I never did till to-day.