She
felt a shyness amounting to terror at being obliged to come forward and
perform before this company; and, besides, she was very sure that Mrs.
Enderby would disapprove of her doing so. She therefore begged earnestly
to be excused, and retreated into a corner. The lady of the house
desisted for a time from her persuasions, but after another dance was
finished she renewed her request. Hetty's distress increased, but she
felt quite unable to explain to her hostess the reasons why it was
impossible she could comply with her wishes. She could only repeat:
"I forget how to do it; indeed I do. And Mrs. Enderby does not like it."
"Mrs. Enderby would like you to please me," said the hostess. "And I
cannot think you forget. My daughters tell me you were most amusing last
week when they saw you."
"Was I?" said Hetty, dismayed. "But that was in the garden and came by
accident. I could not do anything before all this crowd."
"Well, if you were a shy child I could understand," said the lady; "but
you know I heard you long ago when you were much younger.
Pages:
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186