CHAPTER TWOIt was a grey and rainy morning several days after Ethel’s engagement party, and Lucilla felt very despondent as she flicked a feather duster over the china ornaments on the corner cupboard in Aunt Maud’s drawing room.
The fact that she was wearing an old cotton dress, and on top of it a big blue apron wrapped around to protect her from the dust did not help to raise her spirits.
Aunt Maud was sitting in her usual armchair by the fireplace, wearing blue fingerless mittens to keep her hands warm as she worked away at her crochet.
There was a fire in the grate, but it was a very small one, since Aunt Maud did not like to waste valuable coal, and the few flickering flames did not give off much heat.
“Oh, do be careful!” Aunt Maud scolded, frowning at Lucilla. “I don’t like the
