Some of these we afterwards confessed to be fables, told--as we politely put it--to "see how much she _would_ swallow." After dinner we were expected to sit with my father and Aunt Maria in the drawing-room.

Then, also, poor Polly was expected to "give us a little music," and dutifully went through some performances which were certainly a remarkable example of how much can be acquired in the way of mechanical musical skill where a real feeling for the art is absent.

After politely offering to turn over the leaves of her music, which Polly always declined (it was the key-note of her energetic character that she "liked to do everything herself"), my father generally fell asleep.

I whiled away the time by playing with Rubens under the table, Aunt Maria "superintended" the music in a way that must have made any less stolid performer nervous, and Leo was apt to try and distract Polly's attention by grimaces and pantomime of a far from respectful nature behind Aunt Maria's back.
Sir Lionel was not a favourite with Nurse Bundle.

I was unfortunate enough to give her a prejudice against him, which nothing seemed to wear out.