The Abbey Girls Play Up

“Then I can’t go to dancing to-night?” Cecily’s voice shook. She hardly ever cried, but this had been an unexpected blow.“I sh’d say not! Shouldn’t think you’d have the face to go, after last week,” Sarah rejoined.“I never meant to be rude. Mrs. Raymond didn’t mind; she understood,” Cecily pleaded. “Let me go, Sarah! I’ll—I’ll say I’m sorry!” It was the biggest offer she could make.“No fear! And her so kind, letting you into the class with all them grown folks. And then you go a-cheeking her right and left! You don’t go back till you’ve learnt how to behave proper, my girl.”“I didn’t mean to cheek her! The dancing works me up so. I didn’t mean any harm,” Cecily cried desperately.“Time you give it a holiday, then. Too much for you, that’s what it is. Puts you all in a state every week. You don’t know what you’re doing,” Sarah grumbled. “You’ll not go any more, Cess; not till I’ve told Miss Maribel about last week and asked if she thinks it’s proper for you. Goes to your head, that folk-dancing does.—I can’t do nothing with her, dancing nights!” she muttered, turning back to her work of ironing Cecily’s gym blouse, ready for school next day.