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Blog Summary: There is another thing," said Benny. "I don't go about telling tales, but I do think it is time you knew. The girls tell everybody that you like to do the housework so much that they don't dare inter-fere. And it isn't so. They may have taught them-selves to think it is so, but it isn't. You would like a little time for fancy-work and reading as well as they do."
"Please get the cream and butter, and see if they are all in the house," said Annie. She spoke as usual, but the strange expression remained in her face. It was still there when the family were all gathered at the table and she was serving the puffy omelet. Jane noticed it first.
"What makes you look so odd, Annie?" said she.
"I don't know how I look odd," replied Annie.
They all gazed at her then, her father with some anxiety. "You don't look yourself," he said. "You are feeling well, aren't you, Annie?"
"Quite well, thank you, father."
But after the omelet was served and the tea poured Annie rose.
"Where are you going, Annie?" asked Imogen, in her sarcastic voice.
"To my room, or perhaps out in the orchard."
"It will be sopping wet out there after the shower," said Eliza. "Are you crazy, Annie?"
"I have on my black skirt, and I will wear rub-bers," said Annie, quietly. "I want some fresh air."
"I should think you had enough fresh air. You were outdoors all the afternoon, while we were cooped up in the house," said Jane.
"Don't you feel well, Annie?" her father asked again, a golden bit of omelet poised on his fork, as she was leaving the room.
"Quite well, father dear."
"But you are eating no supper."
"I have always heard that people who cook don't need so much to eat," said Imogen. "They say the essence of the food soaks in through the pores."
"I am quite well," Annie repeated, and the door closed behind her.
"Dear Annie! She is always doing odd things like this," remarked Jane.
"Yes, she is, things that one cannot account for, but Annie is a dear," said Susan.
"I hope she is well," said Annie's father.
"Oh, she is well enough. Don't worry, father," said Imogen. "Dear Annie is always doing the unexpected. She looks very well."
"Yes, dear Annie is quite stout, for her," said Jane.
"I think she is thinner than I have ever seen her, and the rest of you look like stuffed geese," said Benny, rudely.
Imogen turned upon him in dignified wrath. "Benny, you insult your sisters," said she. "Father, you should really tell Benny that he should bridle his tongue a little."
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