‘Certainly not! You ought to be ashamed of yourself for behaving like this! Now let me hear no more about it, please, Carola. You will come with me to Jamaica as I have settled. I have engaged a very good governess for you—one who is comparatively young, so that she will also be a companion for you. The berths are booked, and all arrangements made, so that’s the end of it, I hope.’
‘But, Cousin Maud——’
‘Did you hear what I said? I want to hear no more talk about the affair. You are a very lucky girl to have such chances as you have. I wonder how many other girls of your age have seen as much of the world as you?’
‘And I’m sick of it!’ Carola flared out. ‘I’m sick—sick—sick of perpetually travelling about! I want to go to school like other girls, and have the fun of games with them, and proper lessons—not footy little lectures from a governess—and everything! I want to go to the Chalet School——’
‘I thought I said I wished to hear no more about that?’
‘I can’t help what you said—you’re always saying! I tell you I won’t go! You’ll have to carry me aboard the beastly liner, if you get me that far! I won’t stir a step by myself! I—oh, I hate you!’