CHAPTER VIII.
THIRTY POUNDS A YEAR.
Miss Ellsworthy thought Primrose both tiresome and obtuse, but here she was mistaken.
Miss Martineau's solemn looks, Mr.Danesfield's emphatic injunctions to make the most of their visit to Shortlands, and, above all, the expression of deep distress on Mrs.Ellsworthy's charming face when she spoke of their poverty, were by no means thrown away on her.
She felt very grave as the three sisters were driven home in the Ellsworthys' luxurious carriage.

She scarcely joined at all in Jasmine's chatter, nor did she notice Daisy's raptures over a tiny white pup--Mrs.Ellsworthy's parting gift.
On their arrival at home the Pink greeted this unlooked-for addition to the family with a furious assault; and Jasmine, Daisy, and Hannah were all intensely excited over the task of dividing the combatants; but Primrose felt but small interest, and owned that she had a slight headache.
Nevertheless, when the younger girls retired to bed she sat up, and, taking out an account-book, began an impossible task.

Even all the resources of this young and vigorous brain could not make thirty pounds cover a year's expenses.

Again and again Primrose tried.

The rent of the cottage was twelve pounds a year.