,the ,jolliest ,term on ,record ,,by ,,angela ,,brazil ,angela ,brazil has proved her undoubted talent for writing a story of schoolgirls for other schoolgirls to read4--,bookman4 ,a ,popular ,schoolgirl4 ,the ,princess of the ,school4 ,a ,harum-,scarum ,schoolgirl4 ,the ,head ,girl at the ,gables4 ,a ,patriotic ,schoolgirl4 ,for the ,school ,colours4 ,the ,madcap of the ,school4 ,the ,luckiest ,girl in the ,school4 ,the ,jolliest ,term on ,record4 ,the ,girls of ,st4 ,cyprian's4 ,the ,youngest ,girl in the ,fifth4 ,the ,new ,girl at ,st4 ,chad's4 ,for the ,sake of the ,school4 ,the ,school by the ,sea4 ,the ,leader of the ,lower ,school4 ,a ,pair of ,schoolgirls4 ,a ,fourth ,form ,friendship4 ,the ,manor ,house ,school4 ,the ,nicest ,girl in the ,school4 ,the ,third ,class at ,miss ,kaye's4 ,the ,fortunes of ,philippa4 ,,london3 ,,blackie ,,son1 ,,ltd41 #ej ,,old ,,bailey1 ,e4,c4 ,illustration3 ,,left ,,alone1 ,,the ,,two ,,girls ,,were ,,not ,,slow ,,in ,,discussing ,,the ,,wonderful ,,news ,the ,jolliest ,term on ,record ,a ,story of ,school ,life ,,by ,,angela ,,brazil ,author of ,for the ,sake of the ,school ,the ,girls of ,st4 ,cyprian's ,the ,school by the ,sea c4 c4 ,illustrated by ,balliol ,salmon ,,blackie ,,and ,,son ,,limited ,,london ,,glasgow ,,and ,,bombay ,contents ,,chap4 ,page ,i4 ,,the ,,new ,,school #i ,,ii4 ,a ,,scrape #bc ,,iii4 ,,shaking ,,down #cf ,,iv4 ,,the ,,school ,,mascot #ej ,v4 ,,lilac ,,grange #fd ,,vi4 ,,an ,,awkward ,,predicament #gh ,,vii4 ,,the ,,mad ,,hatters #ic ,,viii4 ,,an ,,adventure #ajh ,,ix4 ,,the ,,tennis ,,championship #abb ,x4 ,,an ,,antique ,,purchase #acf ,,xi4 ,,waterloo ,,day #adh ,,xii4 ,,katrine',s ,,ambition #afb ,,xiii4 ,,githa',s ,,secret #age ,,xiv4 ,a ,,midnight ,,alarm #ahi ,,xv4 ,,amateur ,,artists #bjb ,,xvi4 ,,concerns ,a ,,letter #bae ,,xvii4 ,,the ,,wishing ,,well #bbf ,,xviii4 ,a ,,discovery #bcf ,,xix4 ,,an ,,accident #bdf ,,xx4 ,,bob ,,gartley ,,explains #beg ,,xxi4 ,,the ,,sports #bfh ,,xxii4 ,,the ,,old ,,oak ,,cupboard #bgi ,illustrations ,page ,,left ,,alone1 ,,the ,,two ,,girls ,,were ,,not ,,slow ,,in ,,discussing ,,the ,,wonderful ,,news ,frontispiece #ad ',,the ,,goose ,,girl1 ,,by ,,all ,,that',s ,,wonderful6' ,,whispered ,,gwethyn #bh ,,gwethyn ,,tore ,,off ,,the ,,silk ,,handkerchiefs4 ,,she ,,saw ,,at ,,once ,,what ,,had ,,happened #ajb ,,the ,,unpleasant ,,truth ,,was ,,hopelessly ,,plain--,,they ,,were ,,prisoners ,,in ,,the ,,empty ,,house #aah ',i ,,believe ,i',,ve ,,broken ,,my ,,leg'1 ,,he ,,moaned #bdh ',,this ,,concerns ,,us ,,very ,,much1 ,,githa4 ,,it',s ,,your ,,grandfather',s ,,last ,,will' #bhd ,,the ,,jolliest ,,term ,,on ,,record ,,chapter ,i ,the ,new ,school ,katrine6 said ,gwethyn1 in her most impressive manner1 have you noticed anything peculiar going on in this house the last two or three days8 ,why1 no1 replied ,katrine abstractedly1 taking a fresh squeeze of cobalt blue1 and mixing it carefully with the rose madder and the yellow ochre already on her palette4 ,nothing at all unusual4 ,gwethyn1 be careful6 ,you nearly sat down on my brigand1 and his head's still wet6 ,peccavi6 ,i didn't see he was there1 apologized ,gwethyn1 rescuing the canvas in question1 and placing it in a position of greater safety on the mantelpiece4 ,considering you've got absolutely every single chair littered with books1 paints1 and turpentine bottles1 there really doesn't seem a spot left to sit upon1 she continued in an injured tone4 ,except the table1 returned ,katrine1 hastily moving a box of pastels and a pile of loose drawings to make room4 ,please don't disturb my things4 ,i've been sorting them out1 and ,i don't want to get them mixed up again4 ,squat here1 if you're tired1 and leave the bottles alone4 ,i am tired4 ,i'm nearly dead4 ,i bicycled all the way to ,lindley ,park and back with ,mona ,taylor on the step4 ,she would make me take her6 ,and she's no light weight1 the young ,jumbo6 ,poor martyr6 would you like a drink of turpentine to revive you8 ,sorry the chocs are finished4 ,don't mock me6 ,mona's a decent kid1 but she really was the limit to-day4 ,i'll see myself at ,jericho before ,i let her climb on my step again4 ,but ,kattie1 to go back to what ,i was saying before you interrupted me--haven't you noticed there's a something1 a most decided something in the wind8 ,your imagination1 my dear child1 is one of your brightest talents4 ,you're particularly clever at noticing what isn't there4 ,and you're as blind as a bat6 ,can't you see for yourself that ,father and ,mother have got some secret they're keeping from us8 ,why are we having our summer dresses made in ,april8 ,why are all our underclothes being overhauled and counted8 ,why did two new trunks arrive yesterday1 with ,k4 ,h4 ,m4 and ,g4 ,c4 ,m4 painted on them in red letters8 ,why did ,father just begin to say something last night1 and ,mother shut him up in a hurry1 and he look conscience-stricken1 and murmur3 ',i'd forgotten they don't know yet'8 ,girl alive6 if you're blind ,i'm not4 ,there's something exciting on foot4 ,i'm wild to find out what4 ,why doesn't ,mother tell us8 ,it's too bad4 ,she's just going to now1 said a voice from the door1 and a small1 bright-eyed little lady walked in1 laughing4 ,you shan't be kept in the dark any longer1 poor injured creatures6 ,i'll make a clean breast of it at last4 ,mumsie6 cried both girls1 jumping up1 and sweeping away the books and painting materials that encumbered the one arm-chair4 ,sit here1 you darling6 ,it isn't turpentiny1 really6 ,here's the cushion4 ,are you comfy now8 ,well1 do please begin and tell4 ,we're all in a dither to know4 ,brace your nerves then1 chicks6 ,first and foremost1 ,father has been asked in a hurry to go out to the ,scientific ,conference at ,sydney1 and give the lectures on ,geology in place of ,professor ,baillie1 who has been taken ill1 and can't keep his engagement4 ,he has accepted1 and must start by the #bhth4 ,he wants me to go with him4 ,we shall probably be away for three months4 ,and leave us6 ,gwethyn's voice was reproachful4 ,are we to be two sort of half orphans for three whole months8 ,oh1 ,mumsie6 ,it can't be helped1 replied ,mrs4 ,marsden1 stroking the brown head apologetically4 ,what a ,mummie's baby you are still6 ,remember1 it's a great honour for ,father to be asked to take the ,geology chair at the ,conference4 ,he's ever so pleased about it4 ,and of course ,i must go too1 because---- ,the girls smiled simultaneously1 and with complete understanding4 ,if you weren't there to remind him1 ,mumsie1 ,daddie'd forget which days his lectures were on6 twinkled ,katrine4 ,yes1 and ,i verily believe he'd put his coat on inside out1 or wear two hats1 or do something horrible1 if he were thinking very hard of the ,pleistocene period4 ,he'd be utterly lost without you4 ,no1 you couldn't let him go alone6 ,it's not to be thought of1 agreed ,mrs4 ,marsden hastily4 ,pack ,kattie and me inside your trunk1 urged ,gwethyn's beseeching voice4 ,i'd like to see ,australia4 ,too expensive a business for four4 ,no1 we've made other plans for you4 ,get up1 ,baby6 ,you're too heavy to nurse4 ,go and sit somewhere else--yes1 on the table1 if you like4 ,well1 ,father and ,i have talked the matter thoroughly over1 and we've decided to send you both for a term to a boarding-school we know of in ,redlandshire4 ,to school6 shrieked ,katrine4 ,but1 ,mumsie1 ,i left school last ,christmas6 ,why1 ,i've almost turned my hair up6 ,i can't go back and be a kid again--it's quite impossible6 ,no one wants you to do that4 ,i have made special arrangements for you with ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,you are to join some of the classes1 and spend the rest of your time studying painting4 ,mrs4 ,franklin's sister1 ,miss ,aubrey1 is a very good artist1 and will take you out sketching4 ,isn't that a cheering prospect8 ,you've wanted so much to have lessons in landscape4 ,not so bad--but ,i'm suffering still from shock6 returned ,katrine4 ,school's school1 anyhow you like to put it4 ,and when ,i thought ,i'd left for good6 ,and where do ,i come in8 wailed a melancholy voice from the table4 ,you're ,katrine1 and ,i'm only ,gwethyn4 ,i'm too mi-ser-able for words1 ,mumsie1 you've betrayed us shamefully4 ,i didn't think it of you4 ,or ,daddie either4 ,do please change your minds6 ,no2 for once we're hard-hearted parents1 laughed ,mrs4 ,marsden4 ,i wrote last night and arranged definitely and finally for you to go to ,aireyholme on the #bast4 ,i suppose ,i can take ,tony with me8 asked ,gwethyn anxiously1 quitting her seat on the table to catch up a small ,pekinese spaniel and press a kiss on his snub nose4 ,he'd break his little heart with fretting1 bless him1 if ,i left him behind4 ,wouldn't you1 ,tootitums8 ,i'm afraid that's impossible4 ,we must board ,tony out while we're away4 ,i dare say ,mrs4 ,wilson at the market gardens would look after him1 or ,mary might take him home with her4 ,now1 ,gwethyn1 don't make a fuss1 for ,i can't help it4 ,i'm doing the best ,i can for everybody4 ,you don't realize what a business it is to start for ,australia at such a short notice1 and have to shut up one's house1 and dispose of one's family1 all in three weeks' time4 ,i'm nearly distracted with making so many arrangements4 ,poor darling little ,mumsie6 said ,katrine1 squatting down by the arm-chair1 and cuddling her mother's hand4 ,you'll be glad when it's over and you're safe on board ship4 ,which way do people sail for ,australia8 ,i don't know any geography4 ,we go through the ,suez ,canal---- ,oh1 ,mumsie6 ,hereward6 interrupted both the girls eagerly4 ,mrs4 ,marsden's eyes were shining4 ,i'm not counting on seeing him1 she protested4 ,it's wildly improbable he'd get leave1 and we only have a few hours1 ,i believe1 at ,port ,said4 ,still1 of course1 there's always just the possibility4 ,now ,i understand why you're so keen to go to ,australia1 said ,gwethyn4 ,you darling humbug6 ,you'd have made ,daddie accept a lectureship on the top of ,chimborazo1 or at the ,north ,pole1 if there were a chance of seeing ,hereward for ten seconds on the way4 ,confess you would6 ,i suppose ,i'm as weak-minded as most mothers who have an only son in the army1 said ,mrs4 ,marsden1 rising from her basket-chair4 ,one can't keep one's bairns babies for ever4 ,they grow up only too fast1 and fly from the nest4 ,well1 ,i've told you the great secret1 so ,i'll leave you to digest it at your leisure1 chicks4 ,aireyholme is a delightful school4 ,i'm sure you'll enjoy being there4 ,perhaps you're going to have the time of your lives6 ,left alone1 the two girls were not slow in discussing the wonderful news4 ,the room where they were sitting was a large attic1 which had been converted into a studio4 ,the drab walls were covered with sketches in oils1 water-colours1 pencil or chalk2 a couple of easels1 paint-boxes1 palettes1 drawing-paper1 and canvases1 and a litter of small articles--india-rubbers1 mediums1 pastels1 and stumps--gave a very artistic general effect1 and suggested plenty of work on the part of the owners4 ,both the sisters were fond of painting1 and ,katrine1 at any rate1 spent much of her spare time here4 ,with her blue eyes1 regular features1 clear pale complexion1 and plentiful red-gold hair1 ,katrine looked artistic to her finger-tips4 ,she was just seventeen1 and1 owing to her extreme predilection for painting1 had persuaded her parents to take her from the ,high ,school1 and let her attend the ,school of ,art1 where she could devote all her energies to her pet subject4 ,on the strength of this promotion she regarded herself as almost1 if not quite1 grown up--a view that was certainly not shared by her mother1 and was perhaps a determining influence in ,mrs4 ,marsden's decision to send her to a boarding-school4 ,gwethyn1 two years younger1 was a bright1 merry1 jolly1 independent damsel1 with twinkling hazel eyes and ripply brown hair1 a pair of beguiling dimples at the corners of her mouth1 and a nose which1 as ,tennyson kindly expresses it1 was inclined to be tip-tilted4 ,unromantic ,gwethyn did not care a toss about ,high ,art1 though in her way she was rather clever at painting1 and inclined to follow ,katrine's lead4 ,she liked drawing animals1 or niggers1 or copying funny pictures from comic papers2 and sometimes1 ,i fear1 she was guilty of caricaturing the mistresses at school1 to the immense edification of the rest of the form4 ,while ,katrine painted fairies1 ,gwethyn would be drawing grinning gargoyles or goblins1 with a spirited dash about the lines1 and much humour in the expression of the faces4 ,sometimes these artistic efforts1 produced at inopportune moments in school1 got her into trouble1 but wrath from head-quarters had little permanent effect upon ,gwethyn4 ,her irrepressible spirits bobbed cheerily up again when the scoldings were over1 and her eyes1 instead of being filled with penitential tears1 would be twinkling with suppressed fun4 ,just now she was sitting on the table in the studio1 hugging ,tony1 and trying to adjust her mental vision to the new prospect which opened before her4 ,it's hard luck to have to leave the ',high' when ,i'd really a chance for the tennis championship1 she mourned4 ,i suppose they'll play tennis at this new school8 ,i hope to goodness they won't be very prim4 ,i guess ,i'll wake them up a little if they are4 ,katrine1 do you hear8 ,i'm going to have high jinks somehow4 ,jink if you like6 returned ,katrine dolefully4 ,it's all very well for you--you're only changing schools4 ,but ,i'd left6 ,and ,i'd quite made up my mind to turn up my hair this term4 ,of course ,i'll like the landscape-painting4 ,i can do lots of things for the sketching club while ,i'm away1 but--it's certainly a venture6 ,perhaps an adventure6 ,it'll be a surprise packet1 at any rate1 laughed ,gwethyn4 ,we don't know the place1 or the people we're going to meet1 or anything at all about it4 ,kattie1 ,i felt serious a minute ago1 but the sight of your lugubrious face makes me cackle4 ,i want to sketch you for a gargoyle--a melancholy one this time4 ,that's better6 ,now you're laughing6 ,look here1 we'll have some fun out of this business1 somehow4 ,i'm going to enjoy myself1 and if you don't play up and follow suit1 you're no sister of mine4 99 99 99 99 99 ,a fortnight later1 the two girls were waving good-bye from the window of a train that steamed slowly out of ,hartfield station4 ,even ,gwethyn looked a trifle serious as a railway arch hid the last glimpse of ,mumsie standing on the platform1 and ,katrine conveniently got something in her eye1 which required the vigorous application of her pocket-handkerchief4 ,they cheered up1 however1 when the city was passed1 and suburban villas began to give place to fields and hawthorn hedges4 ,after all1 novelty was delightful1 and for town-bred girls three months of country life1 even at school1 held out attractions4 ,it was a four hours' journey to ,carford1 where they changed4 ,the express was late1 and1 somewhat to their dismay1 they found they had missed the local train1 and would have to wait three hours for the next4 ,as it was only eight miles to ,heathwell1 the village where the school was situated1 they decided to ride there on their bicycles1 leaving their luggage to follow by rail4 ,the prospect of a cycling jaunt seemed far pleasanter than waiting at an uninteresting junction2 it would be fun to explore the country1 and they would probably arrive at school earlier by carrying out this plan4 ,through the sweet1 fresh-scented lanes1 therefore1 they started1 where the young leaves were lovely with the tender green of late ,april1 and the banks gay with celandine stars and white stitchwort1 and the thrushes and blackbirds were chanting rival choruses in the hedgerow1 and the larks were rising up from the fields with their little brown throats bubbling over with the message of spring4 ,on and on1 mile after mile of softly undulating country1 where red-roofed farms lay among orchards full of blossom1 and a river wandered between banks of osiers and pollard willows1 and the sleek white-faced cattle grazed in meadows flowery as gardens4 ,it seemed a fitting way to ,eden2 but the girls had not quite anticipated the little ,paradise that burst upon their view when a bend of the road brought them suddenly into the heart of ,heathwell4 ,surely they must have left the present century1 and by some strange jugglery of fate have turned back the clock1 and found themselves transported to mediaeval times4 ,the broad village street ran from the old market hall at one end to the ancient church at the other1 flanked on either side by black-and-white houses so quaint in design1 and so picturesque in effect1 that they might have stepped from a painting of the seventeenth century4 ,the cobble-stoned cause-way1 the irregular flights of steps1 the creepers climbing to the very chimneys1 the latticed windows1 the swinging inn-sign with its heraldic dragon1 all combined to make up a scene which was typically representative of ,merrie ,england4 ,are we awake1 or are we in an ,elizabethan dream8 asked ,katrine1 dismounting from her bicycle to stand and survey the prospect4 ,i don't know4 ,i feel as if ,i were on the stage of a ,shakespearian play4 ,a crowd of peasants with ,may garlands ought to come running out of that archway and perform a morris dance1 then the principal characters should walk on by the side wings4 ,it's too fascinating for words4 ,i wonder where ,aireyholme is8 ,we shall have to ask our way4 ,ought one to say3 ',prithee1 good knave1 canst inform me8' or ',hold1 gentle swain1 ,i have need of thy counsel'8 ,we shall start with a reputation for lunacy1 if you do6 ,the school proved to be not very far away from the village4 ,aireyholme1 as it was aptly called1 was a large1 comfortable1 rather old-fashioned house that stood on a small hill overlooking the river4 ,orchards1 in the glory of their spring bloom1 made a pink background for the white chimneys and the grey-slated roof2 a smooth tennis lawn with four courts faced the front1 and in a field adjoining the river were some hockey goals4 ,not so utterly benighted6 commented ,gwethyn1 as she and ,katrine wheeled their bicycles up the drive4 ,there's more room for games here than we had at the ',high'4 ,i'm glad ,i bought that new racket4 ,wonder what their play's like8 ,i say1 these are ripping courts6 ,to judge by the soft thud of balls behind the bushes1 and the cries that registered the scoring1 several sets of tennis were in progress1 and as the girls turned the corner of the shrubbery1 and came out on to the carriage sweep before the front door1 they had an excellent view of the lawn4 ,their sudden appearance1 however1 stopped the games4 ,the players had evidently been expecting them1 and1 running up1 greeted them in characteristic schoolgirl fashion4 ,hello6 ,are you ,katrine and ,gwethyn ,marsden8 ,so you've turned up at last6 ,did you miss your train8 ,miss ,spencer was in an awful state of mind when you weren't at the station4 ,she went to meet you4 ,have you biked all the way from ,carford8 ,yes1 and we're tired1 and as hungry as hunters1 returned ,katrine4 ,our luggage is coming by the #e4cj4 ,we missed the #b4ae1 so we thought we'd rather ride on than wait4 ,where can we put our bikes8 ,i'll show you1 said a tall girl1 who seemed to assume the lead4 ,at least1 ,jess and ,novie can put them away for you now1 and ,i'll take you straight to ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,she'll be most fearfully relieved to see you2 she gets herself into such stews over anybody who doesn't arrive on the nail4 ,i'm ,viola ,webster4 ,i'll introduce the others afterwards4 ,you'll soon get to know us all1 ,i expect4 ,there are thirty-six here this term1 counting yourselves4 ,did you bring rackets8 ,oh1 good6 ,we're awfully keen on tennis4 ,so are you8 ,dorrie ,vernon will be glad to hear that4 ,she's our games secretary4 ,i wonder if ,mrs4 ,franklin is in the study1 or in the drawing-room8 ,perhaps you'd better wait here while ,i find her4 ,oh1 there she is after all1 coming down the stairs6 99 99 99 99 99 ,the new world into which ,katrine and ,gwethyn were speedily introduced1 was a very different affair from the ,high ,school which they had previously attended4 ,the smaller number of pupils1 and the fact that it was a boarding-school1 made the girls on far more intimate terms with one another than is possible in a large day-school4 ,mrs4 ,franklin1 the ,principal1 was a woman of strong character4 ,she had been a lecturer at college before her marriage1 and after her husband's death had begun her work at ,aireyholme in order to find some outlet for her energies4 ,her two sons were both at the front1 one in the ,territorials1 and the other as a naval chaplain4 ,her only daughter1 ,ermengarde1 had lately been married to a clergyman4 ,tall1 massive1 perhaps even a trifle masculine in appearance1 ,mrs4 ,franklin hid a really kind heart under a rather uncompromising and masterful manner4 ,she was a clever manager1 an admirable housekeeper1 and ruled her little kingdom well and wisely4 ,both in features and personality she resembled an ancient ,roman matron1 and among the girls she was often known as the mother of the ,gracchi4 ,mrs4 ,franklin's sister1 ,miss ,aubrey1 who lived at the school1 was an artist of considerable talent4 ,she superintended the art teaching1 and gave the rest of her time to landscape-painting1 in both oil and water colours4 ,it was largely the fact that ,katrine might have sketching lessons from ,miss ,aubrey which had influenced ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,marsden in their choice of ,aireyholme4 ,the art department was a very important feature of that school4 ,any talent shown among the pupils was carefully fostered4 ,the general atmosphere of the place was artistic2 the girls were familiar with reproductions of pictures from famous galleries1 they took in ,the ,art ,magazine and ,the ,studio1 they revelled in illustrated catalogues of the ,salon or the ,royal ,academy1 and dabbled in many mediums--oil1 water colour1 pastel1 crayon1 and tempera4 ,the big studio was perhaps the pet room of the house2 it was ,liberty ,hall1 where anybody might pursue her favourite project1 and though some of the attempts were certainly rather crude1 they were all helpful in training eye and hand to work together4 ,of the other mistresses1 ,miss ,spencer was bookish1 and ,miss ,andrews athletic4 ,the former was rather cold and dignified1 an excellent and painstaking1 though not very inspiring teacher4 ,she spoke slowly and precisely1 and there was a smack of college about her1 a scholastic officialism of manner that raised a barrier of reserve between herself and her pupils1 difficult to cross4 ,very different was ,miss ,andrews1 whose hearty1 breezy ways were more those of a monitress than of a mistress4 ,she laughed and joked with the girls almost like one of themselves1 though she could assert her authority emphatically when she wished4 ,needless to say she was highly popular1 and although she had only been a year at ,aireyholme1 she was already regarded as an indispensable feature of the establishment4 ,into this busy and highly organized little community ,katrine and ,gwethyn1 as new-comers1 must shake themselves down4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,a ,scrape ,katrine and ,gwethyn had been given a bedroom over the porch1 a dear little room with roses and jasmine clustering round the windows1 and with an excellent view of the tennis lawn4 ,they arranged their possessions there after tea1 and when their photos1 books1 work-baskets1 and writing-cases had found suitable niches the place began to have quite a home-like appearance4 ,it's not so bad1 considering it's school1 commented ,gwethyn2 ,i believe ,i'm going to like one or two of those girls4 ,i don't know whether ,i'm going to like ,mrs4 ,franklin1 objected ,katrine4 ,she's inclined to boss as if one were a kid4 ,i hope ,mother made her quite understand that ,i'm past seventeen1 and not an 'ordinary schoolgirl'4 ,you're younger than ,viola ,webster1 though1 or that other girl--what's her name8--,dorrie ,vernon1 returned ,gwethyn4 ,what have you got there8 ,oh1 ,katrine6 ,a box of hairpins6 ,now you promised ,mumsie you wouldn't turn up your hair6 ,i was only just going to try it sometimes1 for fun4 ,when a girl is as tall as ,i am1 it's ridiculous to see her with a plait flapping down her back4 ,i'm sure ,i look older than either ,viola or ,dorrie4 ,most people would take me for eighteen4 ,katrine was staring anxiously at herself in the glass4 ,i'm not going to be treated here like a junior4 ,they needn't begin it4 ,oh1 you'll settle them all right1 ,i dare say6 answered ,gwethyn abstractedly4 ,she was calculating the capacities of the top drawer1 and1 moreover1 she was accustomed to these outbursts on the part of her sister4 ,katrine put the hairpins1 not on the dressing-table1 but in a handy spot of her right-hand drawer1 where she could easily get at them4 ,it was absurd of ,gwethyn to make such a fuss1 so she reflected4 ,a girl of only fifteen cannot possibly enter into the feelings of one who is nearly grown up4 ,she preserved a rather distant manner at supper4 ,it would not be dignified to unbend all at once to strangers4 ,gwethyn1 always too hail-fellow-well-met with everybody1 was talking to her next neighbour1 and evidently eliciting much information2 an unrestrained chuckle on her part caused ,mrs4 ,franklin to cast a glance of surprise at that particular portion of the table4 ,by bedtime both the new-comers were feeling serious2 they would not for the world have confessed to home-sickness1 but ,katrine observed that she hoped vessels bound for ,australia never blundered into ,german mines1 and ,gwethyn said she had seen in one of the papers that there was an outbreak of enteric among the troops in ,egypt1 and she wondered if it were in ,hereward's regiment2 neither of which remarks was calculated to raise their spirits4 ,the beds had spring mattresses1 and were quite as comfortable as those at home4 ,by all ordinary natural laws the girls1 tired with their journey1 ought to have slept the slumbers of the just immediately their heads touched their pillows4 ,instead of doing anything so sensible1 they lay talking until they were both so excited and so thoroughly wideawake that sleep refused to be wooed4 ,hour after hour they tossed and turned1 counting imaginary sheep jumping over gates1 repeating pieces of poetry1 and trying the hundred-and-one expedients that are supposed to be infallible brain lullers1 but all with no effect4 ,outside1 owls were hooting a continual dismal concert of twoo-hoo-hoo6 ,i like owls from a natural history point of view1 groaned ,katrine1 and ,i've no doubt they're only telling one another about fat mice and sparrows2 but ,i wish they'd be quiet and not talk6 ,they're far more disturbing than trams and taxis4 ,talk of the peace of the country6 ,i should like to know where it is6 agreed ,gwethyn1 turning her pillow for the fourteenth time4 ,there's a cock crowing now1 and a dog barking6 ,it's impossible to sleep a wink1 declared ,katrine1 jumping out of bed in desperation1 and drawing aside the window curtain4 ,i believe it's getting light4 ,there was a stirring of dawn in the air4 ,all the world seemed wrapped in a transparent grey veil1 just thin enough for objects to loom dimly through the dusk4 ,she could see the heavy outlines of the trees at the farther side of the lawn4 ,a thrush was already giving a preliminary note1 and sparrows were beginning to twitter under the eaves4 ,what's the use of stopping in bed when one can't sleep8 exclaimed ,katrine4 ,let us dress1 find our machines1 and go for a spin4 ,what6 ,go out now8 ,why not8 ,people are supposed to get up early in the country4 ,all right6 ,if you're game1 ,i am4 ,the two girls had not been accustomed to much discipline at home1 and their notions of school rules were rudimentary4 ,the idea of getting up so early and going out to explore struck them both as delightfully enterprising and adventurous4 ,they made a hurried toilet1 crept cautiously downstairs1 and found the passage at the back of the house1 where their bicycles had been temporarily placed the night before4 ,it was an easy matter to unbolt a side door1 and make their way through the garden and down the drive4 ,before the day was much older1 they were riding along the quiet dim road in that calm silence that precedes the dawn4 ,the air was most fresh and exhilarating4 ,as their machines sped through the grey morning mist1 they felt almost as if they were on aeroplanes1 rushing among the clouds4 ,at first all was dark and vague and mysterious1 but every minute the light was growing stronger1 and presently they could distinguish the gossamer1 hung like a tangled magic web upon the hedges1 in dainty shimmering masses1 as if the pixies had been spinning and weaving in the night1 and had not yet had time to carry off the result of their labours4 ,it's just like a fairy tale1 said ,gwethyn4 ,do you remember the boy who sat on the fox's tail1 and they went on and on till his hair whistled in the wind8 ,those rabbits ought to stop and talk1 and tell us about ,brer ,terrapin and the ,tar ,baby4 ,i'm sure ,uncle ,remus is squatting at the foot of that tree4 ,we shall meet the goose-girl presently1 ,i expect4 ,what a baby you are6 ,but it is lovely1 ,i agree with you4 ,oh1 ,gwethyn1 look at the sky over there6 ,that's a fairy tale1 if you like4 ,let's stop and watch it4 ,it was indeed a glorious sight4 ,the colour1 which at first had been pearly-grey1 had changed to transparent opal2 then1 blushing with a warmer hue1 grew slowly to pink1 amber1 and violet4 ,great streamers of rosy orange began to stretch like ethereal fingers upwards from the horizon4 ,the fields were in shadow1 and a quiet stillness reigned1 as if the world paused1 waiting in hope and expectancy for that fresh and ever wonderful vision1 the miracle of the returning dawn4 ,then the great shimmering1 glowing sun lifted himself up from among the mists in the meadows1 gaining in brilliance with every foot he ascended till the light burst out1 a flood of brightness1 and all the landscape was radiant4 ,at that1 ,mother ,earth seemed to bestir herself4 ,with the new day came the fresh pulse of life1 and the reawakening of myriads of nature's children4 ,the first lark went soaring into the purply-blue overhead2 the chaffinches began to tweet in the elms2 a white butterfly fluttered over the hedge2 and a marvellous busy throng of insect life seemed suddenly astir and ahum4 ,it was a different world from that of an hour before--a living1 breathing1 working1 rejoicing world2 the shadows and the mystery had fled1 and left it as fair as if just created4 ,it was worth getting up for this6 said ,katrine4 ,i've never seen such a transformation scene in my life4 ,i wish ,i could paint it4 ,but what colours could one use8 ,nothing but stained glass could give that glowing1 glorious1 pinky violet6 ,i haven't the least idea where we are1 or how far away from the school1 said ,gwethyn4 ,we rode along quite 'on spec4'1 and we may have come two miles or five1 for anything ,i know4 ,yes1 it has been lovely1 and ,i see you're still wrapt in a sort of rapturous dream1 and up among rosy clouds1 but ,i've come down to earth1 and ,i'm most unromantically hungry4 ,it seems years since we had supper last night4 ,i wonder if we couldn't find a farm1 and buy some milk4 ,rose madder mixed with violet lake1 and a touch of aureolin and ,italian pink might do it6 murmured ,katrine4 ,no1 it wouldn't6 ,they'd want current coin of the realm4 ,have you any pennies left in your coat pocket8 ,you mundane creature6 ,i was talking of the sunrise1 and not of mere milk4 ,yes1 ,i have five pennies and a halfpenny1 which ought to buy enough to take a bath in4 ,i don't want a bath1 only a glassful4 ,but it's a case of 'first catch your farm'4 ,i don't see the very ghost of a chimney anywhere1 nothing but fields and trees4 ,better go on till we find one1 then1 said ,katrine1 mounting her machine again4 ,they rode at least half a mile without passing any human habitation2 then at last the welcome sight of a gate and barns greeted them4 ,it looks like the back of a farm1 decided ,gwethyn4 ,let us leave our bikes here1 and explore4 ,up a short lane1 and across a stack-yard1 they penetrated into an orchard4 ,here1 under a maze of pink blossom1 a girl of perhaps twelve or thirteen1 with a carriage whip in one hand and a bowl in the other1 was throwing grain to a large flock of poultry--ducks1 geese1 and hens--that were collected round her4 ,the goose-girl1 by all that's wonderful6 ,i told you it was a fairy-tale morning6 whispered ,gwethyn4 ,now for it6 ,i'll go and demand milk4 ,how ought one to greet a goose-girl8 ,she stepped forward1 but at that moment a large collie dog that had been lying unnoticed at the foot of an apple tree1 sprang up suddenly1 and faced her snarling4 ,good dog6 ,poor old fellow6 ,come here1 then6 said ,gwethyn in a wheedling voice1 hoping to propitiate it1 for she was fond of dogs4 ,instead of being pacified by her blandishments1 however1 it showed its teeth savagely1 and darting behind her1 seized her by the skirt4 ,gwethyn was not strong-minded4 ,she shrieked as if she were being murdered4 ,help6 ,help6 yelled ,katrine distractedly4 ,the goose-girl was already calling off the dog1 and with a well-directed lash of her long whip sent him howling away4 ,she walked leisurely up to the visitors4 ,you're more frightened than hurt1 she remarked1 with a half-contemptuous glance at ,gwethyn4 ,what do you want here8 ,we came to ask if we could buy some milk1 stammered ,katrine4 ,i suppose this is a farm8 ,no1 it isn't a farm1 and we don't sell milk4 ,the girl's tone was ungracious2 her appearance also was the reverse of attractive4 ,her sharp features and sallow complexion had an unwholesome look1 her hair was lank and lustreless1 and the bright1 dark eyes did not hold a pleasant expression4 ,she wore a blue gingham overall pinafore that hid her dress4 ,where are you from8 ,and what are you doing here so early8 she continued1 gazing curiously at ,katrine and ,gwethyn4 ,we've bicycled from ,aireyholme---- began ,gwethyn4 ,you're never the new girls8 ,oh1 ,i say6 ,who gave you leave to go out8 ,nobody8 ,well1 ,i shouldn't care to be you when you get back1 that's all6 ,mrs4 ,franklin will have something to say6 ,do you know her1 then8 gasped ,gwethyn4 ,know her8 ,i should think ,i do--just a little6 ,if you'll take my advice1 you'll ride back as quick as you can4 ,ta-ta6 ,i must go and feed my chickens now4 ,oh1 you will catch it6 ,she walked away1 chuckling to herself as if she rather enjoyed the prospect of their discomfiture2 as she turned into the garden she looked round1 and laughed outright4 ,what an odious girl6 ,who is she8 exclaimed ,katrine indignantly4 ,she never apologized for her hateful dog catching hold of you4 ,what does she mean by laughing at us8 ,i should like to teach her manners4 ,perhaps we'd better be riding back1 said ,gwethyn uneasily4 ,they said breakfast was at eight o'clock4 ,i haven't an idea what the time is4 ,i wish we'd brought our watches4 ,they had cycled farther than they imagined1 and in retracing their road they took a wrong turning1 consequently going several miles out of their way4 ,they were beginning to be rather tired by the time they reached ,aireyholme4 ,the excitement and romance of the spring dawn had faded4 ,life seemed quite ordinary and prosaic with the sun high in the heavens4 ,perhaps they both felt a little doubtful of their reception1 though neither was prepared to admit it4 ,as they wheeled their machines past the lower schoolroom window1 where the girls were at early morning preparation1 a dozen excited heads bobbed up to look at them4 ,they took the bicycles through the side door1 and left them in the passage4 ,in the hall they met ,coralie ,nelson1 going to practice1 with a pile of music in her hand4 ,hello6 ,is it you8 she exclaimed4 ,so you've turned up again1 after all6 ,there's been a pretty hullabaloo1 ,i can tell you6 ,were you trying to run away8 ,of course not1 declared ,katrine airily4 ,we were only taking a little run on our bikes before breakfast4 ,it was delicious riding so early4 ,was it1 indeed6 ,well1 you are the limit for coolness1 ,i must say6 ,you'd better go and explain to ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,she's in the study1 and particularly anxious to have the pleasure of seeing you4 ,hope you'll have a pleasant interview6 ,hope we shall1 thanks6 returned ,katrine1 bluffing the matter off as well as she could4 ,i can't see what there is to make such a fuss about6 ,we're not late for breakfast1 ,i suppose8 ,oh dear me1 no6 ,you're in excellent time6 ,coralie's tone was sarcastic4 ,punctuality is considered a great virtue at ,aireyholme4 ,perhaps you may be congratulated upon it6 ,i won't prophesy6 ,on the whole ,i wouldn't change into your shoes1 though6 ,we don't want you to1 retorted ,gwethyn4 ,the two girls tapped at the study door1 and entered with well-assumed nonchalance4 ,katrine1 in particular1 was determined to show her superiority to the conventions which might hedge in ordinary pupils4 ,a girl of seventeen1 who had left school last ,christmas1 must not allow herself to be treated as the rest of the rank and file4 ,at the sight of the ,principal's calm1 determined face1 however1 her courage began to slip away4 ,somehow she did not feel quite so grown-up as she had expected4 ,mrs4 ,franklin had not kept school for fifteen years for nothing4 ,her keen1 grey eyes could quell the most unruly spirit4 ,katrine and ,gwethyn ,marsden1 what is the meaning of this8 she began peremptorily4 ,who gave you leave of absence before breakfast8 ,we saw no reason to ask1 replied ,katrine4 ,we couldn't sleep1 so we thought we'd get up early1 and take a spin on our machines4 ,please to understand for the future that such escapades are strictly forbidden4 ,there are certain free hours during the day1 and there are definite school bounds1 which one of the monitresses will explain to you later on4 ,no girl is allowed to exceed these limits without special permission4 ,illustration3 ',,the ,,goose ,,girl1 ,,by ,,all ,,that',s ,,wonderful6' ,,whispered ,,gwethyn ,but ,i thought ,mother said ,i wasn't to be in the ordinary school1 urged ,katrine4 ,your mother has placed you in my charge1 frowned ,mrs4 ,franklin1 and my decision upon every question must be final4 ,while you are at ,aireyholme you will follow our usual rules4 ,i make exceptions for nobody4 ,don't let me have to remind you of this again4 ,the ,principal's manner was authoritative2 her large presence and handsome ,roman features seemed to give extra weight to her words4 ,she was evidently not accustomed to argue with her pupils4 ,katrine1 with those steely blue eyes fixed upon her1 had the wisdom to desist from further excuses4 ,she left the room outwardly submissive1 though inwardly raging4 ,at seventeen to be treated like a kindergarten infant1 indeed6 ,katrine's dignity was severely wounded4 ,i don't believe ,i'm going to like this place1 she remarked to ,gwethyn as they went upstairs4 ,the rest of the morning until dinner-time seemed a confused whirl to the ,marsdens4 ,last night they had been let alone1 but now they were initiated into the many and manifold ways of the school4 ,they were placed respectively in the ,sixth and ,fifth ,form2 desks and lockers were apportioned to them2 they were given new books1 and allotted certain times for practising on the piano4 ,at the eleven-o'clock interval they made the more intimate acquaintance of at least half of their school-fellows4 ,did you get into a scrape with ,mother ,franklin8 asked ,coralie4 ,the idea of your going gallivanting off on your own this morning6 ,by the by1 your bikes have been put in the shed with the others4 ,it's locked up at night4 ,we get special exeats sometimes to go long rides1 so don't look so doleful4 ,shall ,i tell you who some of the girls are8 ,you know ,viola ,webster1 our captain1 and ,dorrie ,vernon1 our tennis champion8 ,that fair one1 talking to them1 is ,diana ,bennett4 ,they're our monitresses4 ,those inseparables are ,jill ,barton and ,ivy ,parkins4 ,the one with two pig-tails is ,rose ,randall2 and those round-faced kids are ,belgian refugees--,yvonne and ,melanie de ,boeck4 ,they're supposed to be improving our ,french1 but as a matter of fact they talk ,english--of a sort--most of the time4 ,that's ,laura ,browne playing tennis left-handed4 ,i warn you that she's sure to take you up hotly for a day or two1 while you're new1 but she'll drop you again afterwards4 ,anyone else you'd like to ask about8 ,i'll act school directory6 ,coralie rattled on in a half good-natured1 half quizzical fashion1 giving brief biographical sketches of her companions1 introducing some1 and indicating others4 ,most of the girls were collected round the tennis lawn watching the sets4 ,a group of juniors seated on a bench attracted ,katrine's attention4 ,standing near them1 though somewhat apart1 was one whose thin angular figure and sharp pale face seemed familiar2 even without the blue overall pinafore it was easy enough to recognize her4 ,katrine nudged ,gwethyn1 and both simultaneously exclaimed3 ,the goose-girl6 ,who is that dreadful child8 asked ,katrine4 ,we met her while we were out this morning1 and she wasn't civil4 ,her face is just the colour of a fungus6 ,coralie laughed4 ,oh6 that's ,githa ,hamilton4 ,she's not exactly celebrated for her sweet temper4 ,so ,i should imagine4 ,what was she doing out of bounds before seven o'clock8 ,she's not a boarder4 ,she lives with an uncle and aunt1 and comes to school on her bicycle4 ,she's the only day-girl we have4 ,i'd hate to be a day-girl--you're out of everything4 ,i shouldn't think such an extraordinary little toadstool would be in anything1 even if she were a boarder1 commented ,gwethyn1 who had not forgiven the savage assault of the collie1 and the contemptuous ,you're more frightened than hurt6 of its mistress4 ,you're about right there4 ,githa's no particular favourite1 even in her own form4 ,if ,i'd straight lank hair like that1 ,i'd friz it every night1 declared ,gwethyn emphatically4 ,she's the plainest girl in the school6 ,that's my opinion of her6 ,,chapter ,,iii ,shaking ,down ,if ,katrine and ,gwethyn had taken a dislike to the ,toadstool1 as they nicknamed ,githa ,hamilton1 that elfish damsel seemed ready to return the sentiment with interest4 ,she divined their weak points with horrible intuition1 and her sharp little tongue was always armed with caustic remarks4 ,she would stand watching them like a malign imp when they played tennis1 sneering if they made bad strokes1 and rejoicing over their opponents' scores with ostentatious triumph4 ,at ,katrine's airs of dignity she scoffed openly1 and she would call in question ,gwethyn's really quite harmless little exaggerations with ruthless punctiliousness4 ,the new-comers tried to preserve an airy calm1 and treat this offensive junior as beneath their notice2 but she was a determined enemy1 returning constantly to the assault1 and the skirmishes continued4 ,a complete contrast to ,githa's spirit of opposition was the behaviour of ,laura ,browne4 ,as ,coralie had predicted1 she took up the new girls hotly4 ,she walked with them or sat next to them on every possible occasion1 asked for their autographs1 obtained snapshots of them with her ,brownie camera1 and gushed over their home photos and private possessions4 ,it's so nice to have someone at the school with whom ,i really feel ,i can become friends1 she assured ,gwethyn4 ,the moment ,i saw you both1 ,i fell in love with you4 ,i believe strongly in first impressions--don't you8 ,something seems to tell me there's to be a link between our lives4 ,how romantic to have a brother at the front6 ,i think his portrait in uniform is simply perfect4 ,i shall ask you to lend it to me sometimes1 when you can spare it4 ,it does one good to look at a hero like that4 ,i wish my brothers were old enough to join4 ,they're at the mischievous age at present4 ,i envy you your luck4 ,and ,laura sighed dramatically4 ,katrine1 mindful of ,coralie's hint1 received these advances with caution1 but ,gwethyn1 who was not a very discriminating little person1 felt rather flattered4 ,after all1 it is highly pleasant to be openly admired1 your friendship courted1 your wishes consulted1 and your opinions treated with deference4 ,in the first flush of her enthusiasm she readily drew a sketch in ,laura's album1 embroidered a handkerchief for her1 and proffered peppermint creams as long as the box lasted4 ,she submitted peaceably to lend penknife1 scissors1 pencils1 or any other unconsidered trifles1 and when she was obliged to ask for them back1 her new friend was so ready with apologies for their non-return that she felt almost ashamed of having mentioned the matter4 ,between ,githa's evident dislike and ,laura's fawning sycophancy was a wide gap4 ,these two had openly declared themselves for or against2 the solid block of the school stood aloof4 ,during their first week1 at least1 the new girls must be on approval before they settled into the places which they would eventually occupy4 ,their sayings and doings were closely noted1 but public opinion reserved itself4 ,the monitresses were kind1 but slightly cool4 ,they did not altogether like ,katrine's attitude4 ,she had given them to understand that she had come to ,aireyholme as an art student1 and not as a pupil1 and they resented the assumption of superiority implied4 ,we're all art students here1 ,diana ,bennett had replied stiffly4 ,but you're not taking special private lessons from ,miss ,aubrey8 asked ,katrine1 feeling that she scored by this point4 ,viola and ,dorrie and ,i are going in for the matric41 so we haven't much time for painting4 ,it's a jolly grind getting up all our subjects1 ,i can tell you6 ,in the privacy of their own study1 the three monitresses discussed the matter at some length4 ,i rather like them both1 said ,dorrie4 ,katrine's quite an interesting sort of girl1 only she has at present far too high an idea of her own importance4 ,she's inclined to be a little patronizing1 commented ,viola4 ,of course that won't do4 ,i'm ,captain here1 and she'll have quite to realize that4 ,we can't let a girl come into the school at seventeen and begin to boss the whole show4 ,rather not6 ,there ought to be a rule to admit no one over fifteen4 ,thirteen would be better4 ,well1 at any rate when they're juniors1 and have time to get used to ,aireyholme ways4 ,i've been here six years1 and if anyone knows the school traditions1 ,i ought to4 ,no1 ,miss ,katrine ,marsden mustn't be allowed to give herself airs4 ,that ,i've quite made up my mind about4 ,what do you think of ,gwethyn8 ,she's a harum-scarum1 but ,i like her the better of the two4 ,she's inseparables with ,laura ,browne4 ,well1 you know ,laura6 ,she goes for every new girl1 and toadies till she's got all she can1 or grows tired of it4 ,gwethyn will find her out in course of time1 ,i suppose4 ,the real gist of the matter1 said ,dorrie1 wrinkling her brows anxiously1 is whether ,i'm to put them in the tennis list4 ,they play uncommonly well4 ,oh1 it wouldn't be fair to let new girls represent the school6 ,you think so8 ,on the other hand1 the school must win by hook or by crook4 ,well1 ,i don't think it would do to make either of them a champion1 putting them above the heads of those who have been here for years4 ,it's a difficult question1 certainly4 ,difficult8 ,not at all2 ,i think it's conclusive6 snapped ,viola rather sharply4 ,those who are trained in ,aireyholme methods are best fitted to represent ,aireyholme4 ,there can't be two opinions about it4 ,there was certainly some occasion for the rather jealous attitude which the monitresses were inclined to adopt towards ,katrine4 ,by the arrangement which her mother had made with ,mrs4 ,franklin1 she was really more in the position of the old-fashioned parlour boarder than of an ordinary pupil4 ,she had been placed in the ,sixth ,form1 but took less than half the classes1 the rest of her time being devoted to art lessons4 ,while others were drudging away at ,latin translation1 or racking their brains over mathematical problems1 she was seated in the studio1 blissfully painting flowers2 or1 greater luck still1 sallying forth with paint-box and easel to sketch from nature4 ,as the studio was the favourite haunt of most of the seniors1 these special privileges were the envy of the school4 ,nan ,bethell and ,gladwin ,riley1 in particular1 hitherto the ,aireyholme art stars1 felt their noses much put out of joint1 and were injured that their mothers had not made a like arrangement on their behalf4 ,they went so far as to petition ,mrs4 ,franklin for a similar exemption from certain lessons in favour of painting4 ,but the ,principal was adamant2 the ,sixth was her own particular form1 she was jealous of its reputation1 and by no means disposed to excuse members1 whom she had been coaching for months1 the credit which they ought to gain for the school in the examination lists4 ,though art was a pet hobby at ,aireyholme1 it must not be allowed to usurp the chief place1 to the detriment of ,mrs4 ,franklin's own subjects4 ,in the meantime ,katrine1 quite unaware of these difficulties1 wore her picturesque painting apron for several hours daily1 and revelled both in her work and in the companionship of her new teacher4 ,miss ,aubrey was the greatest possible contrast to her sister1 ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,instead of being tall1 imposing1 and masterful1 she was small1 slight1 and gentle in manner4 ,a ducky little thing1 most of the girls called her1 and ,katrine endorsed the general opinion4 ,miss ,aubrey certainly would not have made a good head of the establishment2 she was absent-minded1 dreamy1 and made no attempt to uphold discipline2 but in her own department she was delightful4 ,the pupils talked with impunity in her classes1 but they nevertheless worked with an enthusiasm that many a stricter teacher might have failed to inspire4 ,there was an artistic atmosphere about ,miss ,aubrey2 she always seemed slightly in the clouds1 as if she were busier observing the general picturesque effect of life than its particular details4 ,in appearance she was pleasing1 with soft grey eyes and smooth brown hair4 ,it was the fashion at the school to call her pretty4 ,the girls set her down as many years younger than ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,the studio was1 of course1 her special domain at ,aireyholme2 she worked much there herself1 and quite a collection of her pictures adorned the walls4 ,the crisp1 bold style of painting aroused ,katrine's admiration1 and made her long to try her skill at landscape-sketching4 ,miss ,aubrey had kept her at a study of flowers until she could judge her capabilities2 but at the end of the first week the mistress declared her ready for more advanced work4 ,i am going into the village this morning to finish a picture of my own1 she announced4 ,you and your sister may come with me1 and ,i will start you both at a pretty little subject4 ,gwethyn1 whose time-table had been left to the entire discretion of ,mrs4 ,franklin1 was highly elated to find that she was to share some of ,katrine's art privileges4 ,she had never expected such luck1 and rejoiced accordingly4 ,the fact was that ,miss ,aubrey wished to continue her own sketch1 and to settle ,katrine at an easier subject a hundred yards farther down the street4 ,she thought it might be unpleasant for the girl to sit alone1 and that the sisters would be company for each other4 ,she would be near enough to keep an eye on them1 and to come and correct their drawings from time to time4 ,much encumbered1 therefore1 with camp-stools1 easels1 boards1 paint-boxes1 and other impedimenta1 but feeling almost equal to full-blown artists1 the ,marsdens1 to the wild envy of their less fortunate school-fellows1 sallied forth with ,miss ,aubrey down to the village4 ,their teacher had chosen a very picturesque little bit for their first attempt--a charming black-and-white cottage1 with an uneven red-tiled roof and an irregular1 tumble-down chimney4 ,she superintended them while they opened their camp-stools and fixed their easels1 then showed them where the principal lines in their sketches ought to be placed4 ,you mustn't mind if people come and stare at you a little1 she remarked cheerfully4 ,it's what all artists have to put up with4 ,you'll get used to it4 ,now ,i'm going to my own subject4 ,i shall come back very soon to see how you're getting on4 ,with great satisfaction the girls began blocking in their cottage1 feeling almost like professional artists as they marked roof1 angles1 and points of perspective with the aid of a plumb-line4 ,what a lovely little village it is6 exulted ,katrine4 ,and so delightfully peaceful and quiet4 ,there's nobody about4 ,yes1 it's heavenly6 ,one couldn't sit out sketching in the street at home1 agreed ,gwethyn enthusiastically4 ,alas6 their bliss was shortlived4 ,they had scarcely been five minutes at work when they were espied by half a dozen children1 who ran up promptly and joyfully to stare at their proceedings4 ,the group of spectators seemed to consider them an attraction1 for they rushed off to spread the gleeful news among their fellows1 with the result that in a few moments half the youth of the neighbourhood were swarming round ,katrine and ,gwethyn like flies round a honey-pot4 ,evidently the inhabitants of the village regarded artists as a free show2 not only did the small fry flock round the girls' easels1 but a certain proportion of grown-ups1 who apparently had nothing better to do1 strolled up and made an outside ring to the increasing and interested audience4 ,do they imagine we're the vanguard of a circus1 or that it's an ingenious form of advertisement8 whispered ,gwethyn4 ,i believe they expect me to write ',sanger's ,menagerie is ,coming' in big letters on my drawing-board1 or perhaps ',buy ,purple ,pills'6 ,i should feel more inclined to write ',don't come within ten yards6' groaned ,katrine4 ,i wish they'd go away6 ,they make me so nervous4 ,it's horrible to feel your every stroke is being watched4 ,i've put in my chimney quite crooked4 ,are they troubling ,miss ,aubrey1 ,i wonder8 ,gwethyn stood up to command a full view of the street4 ,yes1 ,miss ,aubrey was also surrounded by a small crowd1 but she took no notice of the spectators1 and was painting away as if oblivious of their presence4 ,she doesn't seem to mind1 commented ,gwethyn4 ,i wish ,i'd her nerve4 ,they seem to find us as attractive as a dancing bear1 groaned ,katrine4 ,that fat old man in the blue flannel shirt is gazing at us with the most insinuating smile4 ,don't look at him4 ,oh1 why did you8 ,you've encouraged him so much1 he's coming to speak to us4 ,the wearer of the blue shirt appeared to think he was doing a kind action in patronizing the strangers2 his smile broadened1 he forced his way forward among the pushing children1 and opened the conversation with a preliminary cough4 ,be you a-drawin' that old house across there8 he began consequentially4 ,why1 it be full o' cracks and stains1 and 'ave wanted pullin' down these ten year or more6 ,it's beautiful6 replied ,katrine briefly4 ,beautiful6 ,with the tiles all cracked and the wall bulgin'8 ,now if you was wantin' a house to draw1 you should 'a done mine4 ,it's a new red brick1 with bow windows and a slated roof1 and there's a row o' nice tidy iron railings round the garden1 too4 ,you must come and take a look at it4 ,we like the old cottages better1 thank you1 said ,gwethyn1 as politely as she could4 ,would you please mind moving a little to the left8 ,you're standing just exactly in my light4 ,he's a picturesque figure1 whispered ,katrine1 as their new acquaintance heaved himself heavily from the kerb-stone2 then she added aloud3 ,i wonder if you'd mind standing still a minute or two1 and letting me put you into my picture8 ,yes1 just there1 please4 ,you wants to take ,i8 he guffawed4 ,well1 ,i never did6 ,best let me go home and tidy up a bit first4 ,no1 no6 ,i like you as you are4 ,don't move6 ,only keep still for three minutes1 implored ,katrine1 sketching with frantic haste4 ,i don't know what my missis would say at ,i being took in my corduroys1 remonstrated the model1 who appeared half bashful and half flattered at the honour thrust upon him4 ,i'd change to my ,sunday clothes if ye'd wait a bit1 missie6 ,well1 it be queer taste1 for sure6 ,i'd 'a thought a suit o' broadcloth would 'a looked a sight better in a picture4 ,see the lady6 ,she's a-puttin' in ,abel ,barnes6 gasped the children1 crowding yet nearer1 and almost upsetting the pair of easels in their excitement4 ,there's his head6 ,there be his arm6 ,oh1 and his legs too6 ,it be just like him--so it be6 ,keep back and let the ladies alone6 commanded ,abel in a stentorian voice4 ,where are your manners got to8 ,if you've finished1 missie1 you'll maybe not object to my takin' a look4 ,well1 for sure1 there ,i be to the life6 ,wherever that picture goes in all the world1 ,abel ,barnes will go with it6 piped a small awestruck voice in the background4 ,yes1 she'll take me away with her1 replied ,abel1 in a tone that implied some gratification--perhaps a touch of vanity lingered under the blue flannel shirt4 ,if ,i'd but a-been in my ,sunday clothes6 he continued regretfully4 ,still1 you've only to say the word1 and ,i'll put 'em on for you any day you've a mind to take ,i again1 and you could draw the missis too1 and the house1 if you like4 ,i were goin' to give the railings a fresh coat o' paint anyways1 so ,i may as well do it afore you begins4 ,finding that ,katrine would not commit herself to any rash promises1 he finally strolled away1 possibly to buy a tin of paint1 or to review his ,sunday garments in anticipation of the hoped-for portrait4 ,the children1 filled with envy at his distinction1 were all eager to volunteer as models1 and began posing in the road in various stiff and photographic attitudes4 ,put in ,i6 ,put in ,i6 implored each and all4 ,i shan't put in anybody if you don't behave yourselves1 replied ,katrine severely4 ,how can ,i see anything when you're standing exactly in front of me8 ,go away at once1 and leave us quiet6 ,to remove themselves from the vicinity of the interesting strangers was1 however1 not at all in the children's calculations4 ,they only backed1 and formed a close ring again round the exasperated girls1 breathing heavily1 and keeping up a chorus of whispered comments4 ,katrine and ,gwethyn sighed ruefully1 but judged it better to follow ,miss ,aubrey's example and take no notice1 hoping that their tormentors might presently tire1 and run off to play marbles or hop-scotch4 ,the cottage proved by no means an easy subject to sketch2 it needed very careful spacing and drawing before they could secure a correct outline4 ,it would have been hard enough if they had been alone and undisturbed1 but to be obliged to work in full view of a frank and critical audience was particularly trying4 ,every time they rubbed anything out1 a small voice would cry3 ,missed again6 ,she can't do it6 ,i never realized before how often ,i used my india-rubber1 murmured poor ,gwethyn4 ,they seem to think ,i'm making a series of very bad shots4 ,i wonder if ,i dare begin my sky1 or if ,i ought to show the drawing to ,miss ,aubrey first1 said ,katrine4 ,i believe ,i shall venture4 ,how ,i wish a motor-car would come along and scatter these wretched infants1 or that their mothers would call them in for a meal6 ,there was no such luck4 ,the sight of the mixing of cobalt blue and ,naples yellow on ,katrine's palette only caused the children to press yet closer4 ,oh1 look6 ,this lady be doing it in colours6 they shouted4 ,she be cleverer than the other lady4 ,katrine1 we must get rid of them6 exclaimed the outraged ,gwethyn2 then1 turning to the crowd of shock heads behind1 she inquired frowningly3 ,how is it you're not in school8 ,it's a holiday to-day6 came in prompt chorus4 ,there's the ,board of ,guardians' meeting at the schoolhouse1 explained an urchin1 poking a chubby face in such close proximity to ,katrine's paint-box that in self-defence she gave him a dab of blue on his freckled nose4 ,it be luck for us when they have their meetings1 volunteered another gleefully4 ,but not for us1 groaned ,gwethyn4 ,katrine1 ,i wonder if the ,church ,catechism would rout them4 ,i declare ,i'll try6 ,it's my last weapon6 ,vain hope1 alas6 ,if ,gwethyn had expected to thin the throng by acting catechist1 she was much mistaken4 ,the children had been well grounded at ,sunday school1 and so far from quailing at the questions were anxious to air their knowledge1 and show off before visitors4 ,ask ,i6 ,i can say it all from ',n4 or ,m4' to 'charity with all men'6 piped a too willing voice4 ,be you a-going to give ,i sweets for saying it8 inquired another1 with an eye to business4 ,katrine1 ,i shall have to beat a retreat1 murmured ,gwethyn4 ,it's impossible to paint a stroke with this sticky little crew buzzing round like flies4 ,i don't like being a public character4 ,i've had enough notoriety this morning to last for the rest of my life4 ,now then1 you young rascal1 if you lay a finger on that paint-box ,i shall call on the schoolmaster and ask him to spank you6 ,at this juncture1 much to the girls' relief1 ,miss ,aubrey came to criticize their sketches4 ,she pointed out the mistakes in their drawings1 and waited while they corrected them4 ,it's no use beginning the painting to-day1 she remarked in a low tone4 ,the children are too great a nuisance4 ,i did not know about the ,board of ,guardians' meeting1 or ,i would not have brought you this morning4 ,we must come another time1 when these small folk are safely in school1 and we can work undisturbed4 ,i'm afraid you must have found them very troublesome4 ,the ten plagues of ,egypt weren't in it6 replied ,gwethyn1 joyfully closing her paint-box1 and beginning to pack up her traps4 ,you had a crowd1 too4 ,oh6 ,i'm more accustomed to it1 though ,i admit ,i'd rather dispense with an audience4 ,if you want to be an artist1 you have to learn to put up with this kind of thing4 ,never mind6 ,i promise our next subject shall be in an absolutely retired spot1 where no one can find us out4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,the ,school ,mascot ,although ,katrine had come to ,aireyholme primarily to study art1 she did not escape scot-free with respect to other lessons4 ,mrs4 ,franklin was a martinet where work was concerned4 ,she often remarked that she did not approve of young people wasting their time1 and she certainly endeavoured to put her principles into practice4 ,she taught the ,sixth ,form herself4 ,some of the girls were preparing for their matriculation1 and received special private coaching from a professor who came twice a week from ,carford2 but all1 whether they were going in for the examination or not1 were taking the same general course4 ,katrine had pursued her studies at ,hartfield ,high ,school with very languid interest1 and had joyfully abandoned them in favour of the ,art ,school4 ,she was not at all enthusiastic at being obliged to continue her ordinary education1 and1 indeed1 considered the classes in the light of a grievance4 ,it was humiliating to find herself behind the rest of the form in mathematics1 to stumble in the ,french translation1 and make bad shots at botany2 particularly so before ,viola ,webster1 who listened to her mistakes and halting recitations with a superior smile1 or an amused glance at ,diana ,bennett4 ,if we had had you at ,aireyholme the last year or two1 you would have reached a much higher standard by now1 said ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,you must do your best to make up for lost time4 ,an extra half-hour's preparation every day would do you no harm4 ,you might get up a little earlier in the mornings4 ,katrine1 whose object was not so much to repair the gaps left in her education by the ,hartfield ,high ,school as to amble through the present term with the least possible exertion of her brains1 received the suggestion coldly1 and forbore to act upon it4 ,it's all very well for the matric4 girls to get up at six and swat1 but you won't find me trying it on6 she assured ,gwethyn in private4 ,what does it matter whether ,i can work a rubbishy problem1 or patter off a page of ,french poetry8 ,i've got to take the classes1 worse luck1 but all the ,mrs4 ,franklins in the world shan't make me grind4 ,between ,katrine and the ,principal there existed a kind of armed neutrality4 ,mrs4 ,franklin persisted in regarding her as an ordinary pupil1 while ,katrine considered that she had come to school on a totally different footing4 ,neither would yield an inch4 ,mrs4 ,franklin was masterful1 but ,katrine was gently stubborn4 ,it is impossible to make a girl work who is determined to idle4 ,at art ,katrine was prepared to slave1 and she had already begun to worship ,miss ,aubrey1 but as a member of the ,sixth ,form she was the champion slacker4 ,the ,principal by turns tried severity1 cajoling1 and sarcasm4 ,a most talented essay6 she remarked one day1 handing back an untidy manuscript4 ,one might regard it as a study in tautology4 ,the word 'very' occurs seven times in a single page4 ,it is scarcely usual for a girl of seventeen to make twelve mistakes in spelling4 ,i never could spell1 answered ,katrine serenely4 ,then it's time you learnt4 ,your writing also is sprawling and careless1 and you have no idea of punctuation4 ,i wish you could have seen the neat1 beautifully expressed essays that ,ermengarde used to write4 ,they were models of composition and tidiness4 ,a suppressed smile passed round the form4 ,the subject of ,ermengarde was a perennial joke among the girls4 ,mrs4 ,franklin did not approve of holding up present pupils as patterns1 for fear of fostering their vanity1 so she generally quoted her daughter as an epitome of all the virtues4 ,it was common knowledge in the school that ,ermengarde's achievements had acquired an after-reputation which at the time they certainly did not justify4 ,so far from being a shining ornament of ,aireyholme1 she had generally lagged in the wake of her form4 ,she had bitterly disappointed her mother by barely scraping through her matriculation1 and failing to win a scholarship for college4 ,poor ,ermengarde had no gift for study2 she was not particularly talented in any direction1 and1 shirking the various careers which ,mrs4 ,franklin urged upon her1 had taken fate into her own hands by marrying a curate1 albeit he was impecunious1 and not at all clever1 thank goodness61 as she confided to her intimate friends4 ,when matrimony had debarred ,ermengarde from any possibility of a college degree1 her mother took it for granted that she would have obtained honours if she had only tried for them1 and always spoke of her with regretful admiration as one who had laid aside the laurels of the muses for the duster of domesticity4 ,saint ,ermengarde1 so the girls called her in mockery1 lived therefore as a kind of school tradition1 and she would have been very much surprised1 indeed1 had she known the extent to which her modest efforts had been magnified4 ,gwethyn1 who had been placed in the ,fifth ,form1 found her level more quickly than did ,katrine in the ,sixth4 ,her high spirits and harum-scarum ways commended her to most of her new companions4 ,she had a racy method of speech and a humorous habit of exaggeration that were rather amusing4 ,fresh from ,v4,b4 at the ,hartfield ,high ,school1 she fell easily into the work of the form1 and if she did not particularly distinguish herself1 gave no special trouble4 ,the spirited sketch which she made of ,miss ,spencer1 pince-nez on nose and book in hand1 was considered to the life1 and she was good-natured enough to make no less than five copies of it1 at the earnest request of ,prissie ,yorke1 ,susie ,parker1 ,rose ,randall1 ,beatrix ,bates1 and ,dona ,matthews4 ,her drawings of imps and goblins1 with which she speedily decorated the fly-leaves of her new text-books1 were immensely admired4 ,general feeling inclined to the opinion that while ,katrine gave herself airs1 ,gwethyn was the right sort1 and might be adopted1 with due caution1 into the heart of the form4 ,it would1 of course1 be unwise to make too much fuss of her in the beginning2 every new girl must go through her novitiate of snubbing1 but such a jolly1 happy-go-lucky specimen as this would not be long in settling into ,aireyholme ways4 ,the new-comers had arrived on #bast ,april3 they had therefore been a little more than a week at the school when the #ast of ,may ushered in the summer4 ,may ,day was kept with great ceremony at ,heathwell4 ,the old festival1 abandoned for more than a hundred years1 had been revived lately in the village1 largely at the instance of ,miss ,aubrey1 whose artistic spirit revelled in such picturesque scenes4 ,she had persuaded ,mr4 ,boswell1 the local squire1 to place a may-pole on a small green near the market hall1 and she had herself taught the children of the ,council school a number of charming folk dances4 ,the schoolmaster and the vicar both approved of the movement1 and gave every facility and encouragement1 and the children themselves were highly enthusiastic4 ,this year it was proposed to have a more than usually elaborate performance1 and to take a collection in the streets in aid of the ,prince of ,wales's ,fund4 ,may ,day fortunately fell on a ,saturday1 so1 as the festival had been well advertised1 it was hoped that visitors would come over from ,carford and other places in the neighbourhood4 ,though the actual pageant was to be given by the ,council school children1 the girls at ,aireyholme rendered very valuable help4 ,they made some of the dresses1 plaited garlands1 stitched knots of coloured ribbons1 and last1 but not least1 were responsible for the collecting4 ,fifteen of the seniors1 wearing ,union ,jack badges on their hats1 and broad bands of tricolour ribbon tied under one arm and across the shoulder1 were set apart for the task1 each carrying a wooden box labelled3 ,prince of ,wales's ,fund4 ,the festivities were to begin at three o'clock1 to fit in with the times of the local railway trains4 ,the morning was a busy whirl of preparation4 ,miss ,aubrey1 with the monitresses as special helpers1 flitted backwards and forwards between ,aireyholme and the village1 making last arrangements and putting finishing touches4 ,katrine and ,gwethyn had never before had the opportunity of witnessing such a spectacle1 so they were full of excitement at the prospect4 ,at half-past two1 ,mrs4 ,franklin1 mistresses1 and girls sallied forth to the scene of action1 and secured an admirable position on the steps of the market hall1 whence they could have a good view of the proceedings4 ,it was a balmy1 sunny day1 and the lovely weather1 combined with the quaint programme1 had tempted many visitors from various places in the district4 ,the trains arrived full1 and ,heathwell for once was overflowing4 ,not only had people made use of the railway1 but many had come on bicycles1 and motor-cars added to the crush4 ,the local shops1 and even the cottages1 had taken advantage of the occasion to sell lemonade and ginger beer1 and had hung out home-written signs announcing their willingness to provide teas and store cycles4 ,the village was en fete1 and the general atmosphere was one of jollity and enjoyment4 ,the children were waiting in the school play-ground1 under the superintendence of their teachers and ,miss ,aubrey4 ,precisely as the church clock struck three1 the procession started4 ,it was led by the band of the local corps of boy scouts1 the drummer very proud indeed in the possession of the orthodox leopard skin1 which had been presented only the week before by a local magnate4 ,after the scouts came a number of children1 dressed in ,kate ,greenaway costumes1 and carrying ,may knots--sticks surmounted with wreaths of flowers and green leaves4 ,a band of little ones1 representing fairies1 heralded the approach of the ,may ,queen1 who drove in great state in a tiny carriage drawn by a very small ,shetland pony1 led by a page resplendent in ribbons and buckles4 ,the carriage was so covered with flowers that it well resembled the car of ,friga1 the spring goddess of ,scandinavian mythology1 who gave her name to ,friday4 ,no deity1 classic or ,teutonic1 could have been prettier than the flaxen-haired little maiden1 who sat up stiffly1 trying with great dignity to support her regal honours4 ,her courtiers walked behind her1 and after came a band of morris dancers1 jingling their bells as they went4 ,the pageant paraded down the ,high ,street1 made a circuit round the market hall1 and drew up round the may-pole on the strip of green4 ,a platform had been erected here1 with a throne for the ,queen1 so her little majesty was duly handed out of her carriage1 and installed in the post of honour4 ,amid ringing cheers the crown was placed on her curly head1 and the sceptre delivered to her1 while small courtiers bowed with a very excellent imitation of mediaeval grace4 ,what an absolute darling the ,queen is6 remarked ,gwethyn1 who1 with ,katrine1 was an ecstatic spectator4 ,it's little ,mary ,gartley1 replied ,coralie ,nelson4 ,they're the best-looking family in the village--six children1 and all have those lovely flaxen curls4 ,i never saw such beautiful hair4 ,look at that tiny wee chap who's standing just by the pony4 ,that's ,hugh ,gartley4 ,isn't he an absolute cherub8 ,we've had him for a model at the studio4 ,we call him ',the ,school ,mascot'1 because he's brought us such luck4 ,miss ,aubrey's picture of him has got into the ,academy1 and ,gladwin ,riley's sketch won first prize in a magazine competition1 and ,hilda ,smart's photo of him also took a prize in a paper4 ,he scored three successes for ,aireyholme4 ,he's the sweetest little rascal4 ,even ,mrs4 ,franklin can't resist patting him on the head1 and giving him biscuits4 ,he's an absolute angel6 agreed the ,marsdens enthusiastically4 ,when the coronation of the ,may ,queen was duly accomplished1 the sports began4 ,a band of dainty damsels1 holding coloured ribbons1 plaited and unplaited the may-pole1 much to the admiration of the crowd1 who encored the performance4 ,the fairies gave a pretty exhibition1 waving garlands of flowers as they trod their fantastic measure2 the morris dancers capered their best1 and the ,boy ,scouts' band did its utmost in providing the music4 ,it was a very charming scene2 so quaint amid the old-world setting of the picturesque village that the spectators clapped and cheered with heartiest approval4 ,the little actors1 excited by the applause1 began to go beyond control1 and to run about helter-skelter1 waving their garlands and shouting hurrah6 ,the crowd also was breaking up4 ,a train was nearly due1 and some of the visitors made a rush for the station4 ,a char-a-banc with three horses started from the ,bell and ,dragon4 ,at that identical moment little ,hugh ,gartley1 seeing some attraction on the opposite pavement1 threw discipline to the winds and dashed suddenly across the road1 in front of the very wheels of the passing char-a-banc4 ,katrine happened to be watching him4 ,with a leap and a run she was down the steps of the market hall and in the street4 ,before the child1 or anyone else1 realized his danger1 she had snatched him from the front of the horses1 and had dragged him on to the pavement4 ,the driver pulled up in considerable alarm4 ,it's not my fault1 he protested4 ,kids shouldn't bolt across like that4 ,finding there was no harm done1 he drove on4 ,the incident was over so quickly that it was hardly noticed by the general public4 ,little ,hugh ,gartley1 much scared1 clung crying to ,katrine's hand4 ,she took him in her arms and comforted him with chocolates4 ,he made friends readily1 and instead of rejoining the ,may dancers1 insisted upon staying with her for the rest of the performance4 ,katrine was fond of children1 and enjoyed petting the pretty little fellow4 ,she kept him by her until the procession passed on its return to the schoolhouse1 then she made him slip in amongst the other masqueraders4 ,the fifteen collectors had been busy all the afternoon handing round their boxes1 and anticipated quite a good harvest4 ,i shouldn't be surprised if we'd taken seven or eight pounds2 many people put in silver1 said ,diana ,bennett4 ,it will be grand when the boxes are opened4 ,you missed the excitement near the market hall1 volunteered ,coralie4 ,katrine ,marsden rescued ,hugh ,gartley from being run over4 ,she snatched him back just in the nick of time4 ,oh1 it was nothing6 protested ,katrine4 ,indeed it was splendid presence of mind6 ,he might have been killed if you hadn't dashed down so promptly and snatched him4 ,katrine's action in saving the school mascot was soon noised abroad among the girls1 and brought her a quite unexpected spell of popularity1 chiefly with the juniors and the ,fifth ,form1 however4 ,the ,sixth1 led by the monitresses1 still hung back1 jealous of their privileges1 and unwilling to tolerate one who persisted in considering herself a parlour boarder1 and1 as they expressed it1 putting on side6 ,it was really mostly ,katrine's own fault3 her previous acquaintance with school life ought to have taught her wisdom2 but seventeen is a crude age1 and not given to profiting by past experience4 ,some of the pin-pricks she sustained were well deserved4 ,on the evening of ,may ,day1 being a ,saturday as well as a special festival1 the monitresses decided to give a cocoa party in their study1 and invite the rest of the form4 ,we got eight pounds1 fifteen and twopence halfpenny in the collecting boxes this afternoon1 announced ,viola1 and we ought to drink the health of the ,prince of ,wales's ,fund in cocoa4 ,we'll have a little rag-time fun1 too1 just among ourselves4 ,all serene6 agreed ,diana4 ,this child's always ready for sport4 ,what about biscuits8 ,we may send out for what we like4 ,i interviewed the ,great ,panjandrum1 and she was affability itself4 ,good6 ,cocoanut fingers for me4 ,and perhaps a few ,savoys4 ,right-o6 ,make your list4 ,tomlinson is to go and fetch them4 ,we shall have to borrow cups from the kitchen1 said ,dorrie1 who had been investigating inside the cupboard4 ,since that last smash we're rather low down in our china--only four cups left intact4 ,go and ask the cook for five more1 then4 ,five8 ,that'll only make nine4 ,quite enough4 ,aren't you going to invite ,katrine ,marsden8 ,viola pulled a long face4 ,is it necessary8 ,she doesn't consider herself one of the ,sixth4 ,but she is1 really4 ,it seems rather marked to leave her out4 ,oh1 well6 rather icily4 ,ask her if you like1 of course4 ,i'm sure ,i don't want to keep her out of things if she cares to join in4 ,dorrie accordingly ran up to the studio1 where ,katrine was sitting putting a few finishing touches to the study of tulips upon which she had been engaged during the last week4 ,we're having a cocoa party at eight in our study4 ,awfully pleased to see you4 ,just our own form1 announced ,dorrie heartily4 ,thanks very much1 returned ,katrine casually1 but ,i really don't think ,i shall have time to come4 ,i want to finish these tulips4 ,isn't it getting too dark for painting8 ,oh1 no6 ,the light's good for some time yet1 and ,miss ,aubrey's probably coming upstairs to go on with her still-life study4 ,i love sitting with her4 ,she's most inspiring4 ,comme vous voulez1 mademoiselle6 answered ,dorrie1 retiring in high dudgeon to report to her fellow-monitresses4 ,they were most indignant at the slight4 ,cheek6 ,turns up her nose at our invitation1 does she8 ,she can please herself1 ,i'm sure4 ,she's no loss1 at any rate4 ,look here6 said ,dorrie4 ,i've got an idea4 ,we'll pay her out for this4 ,she's counting on ,miss ,aubrey going to sit with her in the studio1 and having a delightful tete a tete4 ,let's ask ,miss ,aubrey to our cocoa party4 ,splendiferous6 ,girl alive1 you're a genius6 ,go instanter6 ,dorrie hurried off to deliver her second invitation4 ,it was more graciously received than the first4 ,oh6 ,i'm only too flattered6 ,i shall be delighted to turn up4 ,may ,i bring a contribution to the feast8 beamed ,miss ,aubrey4 ,done ,katrine ,marsden for once6 chuckled ,dorrie1 communicating the good tidings in the study4 ,she'll be fearfully sick when she finds her idol has deserted her for us4 ,i sincerely hope she will4 ,at eight o'clock an extremely jolly party assembled in the little room underneath the studio1 all prepared to abandon themselves to enjoyment1 to crack jokes1 sing catches1 ask riddles1 or indulge in anything that savoured of fun4 ,there were not chairs for all1 but nobody minded sitting on the floor4 ,viola's spirit-lamp was on the table1 and the kettle steamed cheerily2 tins of cocoa and condensed milk and packets of biscuits were spread forth with the row of cups and saucers4 ,miss ,aubrey1 throned in a basket-chair1 with girls quarrelling for the privilege of sitting near her1 held a kind of impromptu court4 ,it's been a ripping ,may ,day4 ,everybody was saying how well you'd engineered the whole thing1 ,viola assured her4 ,the folk dances were just too sweet6 ,those ,americans who came in that big car were in raptures4 ,they dropped half a sovereign into my box4 ,they said the ,may ,queen was the prettiest child they'd ever seen4 ,mary ,gartley is only second to ,hugh1 replied ,miss ,aubrey4 ,i hear the little chap nearly got run over this afternoon1 and ,katrine ,marsden rescued him4 ,where is ,katrine1 by the by8 ,for a moment an awkward silence reigned4 ,she's in the studio4 ,we invited her1 but she wouldn't come1 volunteered ,dorrie at last4 ,oh6 said ,miss ,aubrey1 with a gleam of comprehension4 ,upstairs1 ,katrine was painting away rather half-heartedly4 ,she wondered why her beloved art-mistress did not arrive4 ,it would be delightful to have her all to herself1 without those schoolgirls4 ,the door burst open1 and ,gwethyn came rushing tumultuously in4 ,kattie6 ,the ,fifth are giving a ,mad ,hatter's party6 ,we're going to have the most screaming fun6 ,they've asked you1 so do come1 quick6 ,oh1 ,i don't care about it1 child6 ,i'm waiting here for ,miss ,aubrey4 ,miss ,aubrey8 ,why1 she's gone to the ,sixth ,form party6 ,i saw her walking into their study with a box of chocolates and a bag of something in her hand4 ,they're at it hard6 ,a glimpse of ,katrine's face at that moment might have soothed the injured feelings of the monitresses4 ,from below rose unmistakable sounds of mirth to confirm ,gwethyn's words4 ,aren't you coming8 ,do hurry up6 urged ,gwethyn impatiently4 ,but to join in the festivities of the ,fifth ,form after declining those of the ,sixth was too great a come-down for ,katrine's dignity4 ,run along1 ,baby6 ,i don't care for nonsense parties4 ,i'd rather stay and paint1 she replied1 with an air of sang-froid that was perhaps slightly overdone4 ,tantrums8 ,well1 you're a jolly silly1 that's all ,i can say2 for we're going to have ripping fun6 chirruped ,gwethyn1 shutting the door with a slam4 ,,chapter ,v ,lilac ,grange ,so far ,gwethyn's impression of ,aireyholme had been largely tinged by the prevailing presence of ,laura ,browne4 ,laura took her up the very evening she arrived1 and had since gushed over her without intermission1 monopolizing her almost entirely4 ,it was ,laura who explained the school rules1 and offered advice on the subject of preparation or practising2 ,laura who walked with her round the garden1 introduced her to the library1 and showed her the ,senior museum4 ,the temperature of the friendship might be described--on ,laura's side at any rate--as white-hot4 ,she took complete possession of ,gwethyn1 driving off the other girls gently but firmly4 ,i'll tell her all about the lessons6 she would declare1 waving ,rose or ,susie away4 ,come with me1 dearest6 ,of course ,i know our work's nothing to you1 after your other school1 but any help that ,i can give you1 you're more than welcome to4 ,it's so refreshing to have a girl like you here1 after these others4 ,oh1 anyone could see the difference6 ,i fell in love with you at first sight4 ,look at ,rose ,randall1 now2 it would be impossible to be friends with her4 ,i couldn't do it4 ,and ,beatrix and ,marian are unspeakable4 ,no1 darling1 until you came1 ,i hadn't a chum in the whole school4 ,as the rest of the form held slightly aloof1 ,gwethyn found herself flung into the arms of ,laura ,browne4 ,she had not ,katrine's reserve1 and would rather be friends with anybody than nobody4 ,she did not altogether care for ,laura's fawning manners1 but as the intimacy was forced upon her1 she accepted it4 ,for ten days they had been dubbed the lovers1 and were constantly in each other's company4 ,i hear you've brought your violin1 sweetest1 said ,laura at recreation one morning1 as the pair stood watching a set of tennis4 ,how is it you didn't tell me8 ,i'm dying to hear you play it4 ,oh1 ,i'm only a beginner6 ,i brought it just in case ,i found time to practise a little4 ,i'm not taking lessons on it here4 ,but you will play for me8 ,if you like2 but it won't be a treat4 ,i break about a dozen strings every time ,i tune it4 ,a violin has four strings1 so you must snip them with a pair of scissors1 ,i should think1 if you break twelve each time you tune up1 remarked a sarcastic voice from behind4 ,gwethyn turned round1 and met the scornful eyes of ,githa ,hamilton4 ,that horrid child6 ,why can't she let me alone8 she whispered to ,laura4 ,she's the image of a toadstool1 with her khaki complexion and lank hair4 ,but ,githa's sharp ears overheard4 ,thanks for the compliment6 ,khaki's a nice patriotic colour4 ,i like my hair straight--,i haven't the least desire to friz it out or curl it4 ,if you're going to break a dozen strings tuning your fiddle to-day1 perhaps you'll save me the pieces2 they make splendid lashes for whips4 ,to drive geese with8 retorted ,gwethyn4 ,exactly4 ,how clever of you to guess6 ,there are a great many geese in this neighbourhood4 ,i come in contact with them every day4 ,don't mind the snarly little thing6 said ,laura1 walking ,gwethyn away4 ,now tell me when ,i'm to hear your violin4 ,shall we say a quarter-past two this afternoon in the practising-room8 ,i'll play your piano accompaniment4 ,and ,i'll be there for the surplus strings6 piped ,githa1 following behind4 ,githa ,hamilton1 take yourself off6 commanded ,laura1 routing the enemy at last4 ,gwethyn had not opened her violin-case since coming to ,aireyholme4 ,she had taken lessons for about a year1 and her mother had urged her to try and find time to practise1 so that she should not forget all she had learned2 but so far there had been so many other things to occupy her1 that the violin had been entirely thrust on one side4 ,true to her promise to ,laura1 she brought it out of its retirement this afternoon1 and going to the music-room began to tune it by the piano4 ,not a string snapped in the process1 and the instrument was soon in order4 ,gwethyn laid it down on the table1 and waited4 ,surely ,laura could not be long4 ,she had made the appointment for #b4ae1 and had expressed herself at dinner as impatient for the time to arrive4 ,the minutes rolled by1 however1 and no ,laura appeared4 ,presently a smooth dark head peeped round the door4 ,any strings on hand8 inquired ,githa1 with an elfish grin4 ,i've come for that odd dozen you've got to spare6 ,i didn't break any1 returned ,gwethyn shortly4 ,bad news for me6 ,well1 now1 ,i suppose you're at the trysting-place1 waiting for the beloved8 ,laura'll be turning up soon1 grunted ,gwethyn4 ,sorry to break your heart instead of your strings6 ,i'm afraid she won't turn up4 ,it's a case of 'he cometh not1 she said'4 ,the fair one is false and fickle1 and loves another6 ,if you're going to have hysterics1 or faint1 please give me warning4 ,poor lone heart6 ,what nonsense you're talking6 ,what do you mean8 asked ,gwethyn1 laughing in spite of herself4 ,it's the sad and solemn truth4 ,laura ,browne1 regardless of her appointment with you1 is now walking round the kitchen-garden arm-in-arm with another love1 and gazing admiringly into her eyes4 ,your image is wiped from her memory2 you are a broken idol1 a faded flower1 a past episode1 a thing of yesterday6 ,for goodness' sake1 stop ragging6 ,well1 if you prefer it in plain prose1 you're superseded by ,phyllis ,lowman4 ,she's ,mrs4 ,franklin's niece1 and comes occasionally to spend a few days here4 ,she arrived just after dinner4 ,we're not keen on her in the school1 but ,laura truckles to her to curry favour with ,mother ,franklin4 ,during her visit the pair will be inseparable1 and your poor plaintive nose will be absolutely out of joint4 ,i don't believe you6 flared ,gwethyn4 ,oh1 all right6 ,go and see for yourself6 ,it isn't ,i who exaggerate6 and with a malicious little laugh the ,toadstool beat a retreat4 ,there were a few minutes left before afternoon school1 so ,gwethyn1 tired of waiting1 took a run round the garden4 ,alas6 ,githa had spoken the truth4 ,wandering amongst the gooseberry bushes she met her missing friend1 in company with a stranger4 ,they were linked arm-in-arm1 and their heads were pressed closely together4 ,as they passed ,gwethyn1 ,laura's eyes showed not a trace even of recognition1 much less apology or regret4 ,i've been simply vegetating till you came here again1 ,phyllis darling6 ,i'm living to-day6 ,you sweetest6 ,the words1 in ,laura's most honied tones1 were wafted back as the pair walked towards the house4 ,gwethyn looked after them and stamped4 ,so that's ,laura ,browne and her fine friendship6 ,well1 ,i've done with her from to-day4 ,she won't catch me having anything more to say to her4 ,i really think this is the limit6 ,i couldn't have believed it of her if ,i hadn't seen it4 ,the utter sneak6 ,phyllis ,lowman spent three days at ,aireyholme1 during which period ,laura was her slave and bond-servant4 ,when she returned home1 the latter turned her attention again to her first love4 ,but ,gwethyn would have none of her1 and received her advances in so cavalier a fashion that she gave up the futile attempt at reconciliation4 ,the other members of the ,fifth enjoyed the little comedy4 ,it was what they had expected4 ,gwethyn was bound to be ',laura-ridden' at first1 laughed ,susie ,parker4 ,it's the inevitable4 ,laura's new friendships have to run their course like measles4 ,this has only been a short business1 and now we may consider ,gwethyn disinfected6 ,no longer monopolized by ,laura1 ,gwethyn began to make friends with other girls1 and was soon a favourite in the ,fifth4 ,her love of fun1 and readiness to give and take1 commended her to the form1 and on her side she much preferred to be ordinary chums with her comrades1 than to be offered a slavish and rather ridiculous worship1 such as ,laura had tendered4 99 99 99 99 99 ,since their very trying experiences in the ,high ,street1 the ,marsdens had begged ,miss ,aubrey to allow them to abandon that particular subject1 and begin another sketch in some more retired place1 where spectators would not come to look over their shoulders4 ,miss ,aubrey herself disliked working in the midst of a crowd1 so she readily agreed1 and at their next painting lesson announced that she had found the very spot to suit them4 ,nan ,bethell1 ,gladwin ,riley1 and ,coralie ,nelson were to join the class that afternoon4 ,viola1 ,dorrie1 and ,diana were also extremely anxious to go1 but ,mrs4 ,franklin would not spare her best matriculation students1 and sternly set them to work at mathematics instead1 much to their disgust4 ,tita ,gray1 ,hilda ,smart1 and ,ellaline ,dickens1 the remaining members of the ,sixth1 were detained by music lessons with a master who came over weekly from ,carford4 ,only five fortunate ones sallied forth1 therefore1 with ,miss ,aubrey4 ,the subject which their teacher had chosen was not far off1 though rather out of the way4 ,standing back from the village1 at the end of a long lane1 was a rambling old house known as ,the ,grange4 ,it lay low1 in a somewhat damp spot close to the river1 faced north1 and had no particular view4 ,owing1 no doubt1 to these drawbacks1 and to its inconvenient situation1 it had been unlet for several years1 and as the owner did not seem inclined to spend money on repairs1 its dilapidated condition held out little promise of a new tenant4 ,to anyone anxious for seclusion no more suitable retreat could be found3 the long leafy lane which led to its rusty iron gate1 the thickness of its surrounding plantation1 the tall shrubs in the garden1 which almost touched the windows1 all seemed so many barriers to discourage the public1 and to keep the lonely dwelling apart from the outside world4 ,to the girls it looked mysterious1 and it was with almost a creepy feeling that they opened the creaking gate1 and made their way through the tangled garden4 ,everything seemed as overgrown and as quiet as in the palace of the ,sleeping ,beauty2 not a face to be seen at the windows1 nor a footstep to be heard in the grounds2 the flower-beds were a mass of rank weeds1 the paths were covered with grass1 and the lawn was a hayfield4 ,in the prime of their beauty1 however1 were the lilac bushes2 they had thriven with neglect1 and were covered with masses of exquisite blossom1 scenting the whole air1 and making the garden a purple ,paradise4 ,the place ought to be called ',lilac ,grange'6 said ,katrine admiringly4 ,it's a perfect show at present4 ,are we to paint them8 ,i'm afraid they would prove rather difficult4 ,i have an easier subject for you round at the back1 said ,miss ,aubrey1 leading the way to the rear of the house1 where a timbered dovecote stood in the old paved courtyard4 ,with its black beams and carved doorway1 it seemed of much greater antiquity than the ,grange itself1 which had probably been rebuilt on the site of an older structure4 ,miss ,aubrey found a favourable view where the afternoon sunshine cast warm shadows upon the lichen-stained plaster1 and she at once set her pupils to work1 to catch the effect before the light changed4 ,what a harbour of refuge this is6 declared ,gwethyn1 haunted by memories of the ,high ,street4 ,there isn't a single child to come and disturb us4 ,i call this absolute bliss4 ,and a ripping subject6 agreed ,katrine4 ,for a long time the girls worked away quietly1 passing an occasional remark1 but too busy to talk4 ,at last the ,marsdens1 who drew more quickly than their comrades1 had reached a stage at which it was impossible to continue without advice4 ,miss ,aubrey was sketching the lilac round the corner1 so leaving their easels they went in search of her4 ,not sorry to stretch their limbs for a few minutes1 they decided first to take a run round the garden4 ,it would be fun to explore1 and ,katrine would get rid of the pins and needles in her foot4 ,under the lanky laurel bushes and overgrown rose arches1 along a swampy little path by the river1 through a broken green-house1 and back across a nettle-covered terrace4 ,not a soul to be seen about the whole place4 ,it was peaceful as a palace of dreams4 ,stop6 ,what was that rustling among the leaves8 ,there was a movement under the lilac bushes1 and a slight figure stepped out into the sunshine4 ,githa ,hamilton6 ,whatever are you doing here8 exclaimed the girls4 ,the pale little ,toadstool looked more surprised than pleased at the meeting4 ,i may return the compliment1 and ask what you are doing here8 she parried4 ,we're sketching with ,miss ,aubrey4 ,and ,i'm--amusing myself6 ,my time's my own after school is over4 ,she spoke aggressively1 almost belligerently4 ,to judge from her appearance1 no one would have imagined that she had been amusing herself4 ,the redness of her eyes suggested crying4 ,i'm going home now for tea1 she snapped4 ,i left my bicycle by the gate4 ,when ,katrine's and ,gwethyn's drawings had been duly corrected by their teacher1 and they had settled down again for the final half-hour's work1 they mentioned this meeting with ,githa to ,coralie1 who was sitting close by4 ,what was the queer child doing8 asked ,katrine4 ,i thought she seemed rather caught4 ,she glared at us as if she wished us at ,timbuctoo4 ,oh6 was ,githa here8 ,well1 you see1 it used to be her old home4 ,her grandfather owned the ,grange4 ,she and her brother were orphans1 and lived with him2 then1 when he died1 they had to go to an uncle1 and the house was to let4 ,everybody thinks they were treated very hardly4 ,old ,mr4 ,ledbury had promised to provide for them 7they were his daughter's children71 but when the will was read there was no mention of them4 ,no one could understand how it was that he had left them without a penny4 ,he had always seemed so fond of them4 ,their uncle1 ,mr4 ,wilfred ,ledbury1 who inherited everything1 took them to live with him1 rather on sufferance4 ,the boy is at a boarding-school1 but ,i don't think ,githa has a particularly nice time at ,the ,gables4 ,what an atrocious shame6 exploded ,gwethyn4 ,oh6 don't misunderstand me4 ,they're not exactly unkind to her4 ,she's sent to school at ,aireyholme1 and she's always quite nicely dressed2 she has her bicycle1 and she may keep her pets in the stable4 ,only her uncle just ignores her1 and her aunt isn't sympathetic1 or interested in her4 ,with being a day-girl she's out of all the fun we boarders get4 ,i fancy she's most fearfully lonely4 ,oh6 the poor little ,toadstool6 ,if ,i'd only known that1 ,i wouldn't have been so rude to her4 ,i was a brute6 7,gwethyn's self-reproach was really genuine47 ,i'll be nice to her now4 ,i will indeed6 ,don't start pitying her1 for goodness' sake6 ,it's the one thing ,githa can't stand4 ,she's as proud as ,lucifer1 and if she suspects you're the least atom sorry for her1 it makes her as hard as nails4 ,she never lets us know she's not happy2 she always makes out she's better off than we are1 going home every day4 ,but ,i'm sure she's miserable4 ,yes1 you can see that in her face1 agreed ,katrine4 ,impulsive ,gwethyn1 having learnt ,githa's story1 was anxious to atone for several lively passages of arms1 and to make friends4 ,but the conquest of the ,toadstool was harder than she expected4 ,githa's proud little heart resented anything savouring of patronage1 and she repelled all advances4 ,no hedgehog could have been more prickly4 ,she refused to play tennis1 declined the loan of books1 and even said ,no1 thank you1 to proffered chocolates4 ,instead of appearing grateful for the notice of a girl in a higher form1 she seemed to stiffen herself into an attitude of haughty reserve4 ,finding all attempts at kindness useless1 ,gwethyn simply let her alone1 taking no notice whatever of her1 and just ignoring pointed remarks and sarcasms1 instead of returning them with compound interest as formerly4 ,baffled by this new attitude1 the ,toadstool1 after trying her most aggravating sallies1 and failing to draw any sparks1 relapsed into neutrality4 ,her dark eyes often followed ,gwethyn with an inscrutable gaze1 but she steadfastly avoided speaking to her4 ,gwethyn did not greatly concern herself1 for she had found three most congenial chums4 ,rose ,randall1 ,beatrix ,bates1 and ,dona ,matthews were kindred spirits where fun was concerned1 and in their society she spent all her spare time4 ,as for ,katrine1 she was not likely to trouble about a ,fourth ,form girl4 ,she just realized ,githa as a plain and very objectionable junior1 but never gave a thought to her or her affairs4 ,at present ,katrine's mind was devoted to art1 and had no corner to spare for minor interests4 ,under ,miss ,aubrey's tuition she was making strides1 and was beginning to put on her colours in a far more professional manner4 ,she really had a decided talent for painting1 as well as a love for it1 and she had come prepared to work4 ,her teacher1 glad to find such enthusiasm1 gave her every encouragement4 ,she took her out sketching daily1 allowed her to watch while she herself painted1 and took infinite trouble to set her in the way of real art progress4 ,katrine's easel had never before had so much exercise4 ,she planted it in a variety of situations1 at the instance of ,miss ,aubrey1 whose trained eye could at once pick out suitable subjects for the brush4 ,heathwell was a very ,paradise for artists1 with its deep lanes1 its hedges a tangle of honeysuckle1 wild rose1 and white briony1 its quiet timbered farmsteads set in the midst of lush meadows1 its flowery gardens1 and its slow-flowing river with reedy1 willowy banks4 ,those were halcyon days to ,katrine1 whether she sat in the sunshine among the pinks and pansies of a cottage garden1 sketching the subtle varied stones of a weather-worn gable against the rich brown of a thatched roof1 the bees humming in and out of the flowers1 and the pigeons cooing gently in the dovecote close by2 or whether ,miss ,aubrey took her to the shelter of thick woods1 where the warm light1 shimmering through the leaves1 cast flickering shadows on the soft grass below4 ,there were glorious mornings when ,nature seemed to have washed her children's faces1 and turned the world out in clean clothes2 golden noons when all was a-quiver in a haze of heat1 and the sky a blue dome from horizon to zenith2 and still1 quiet evenings1 when the elms were a blot of purple-grey against a pale yellow afterglow1 and the uncut hayfield such a soft1 delicate1 blurred mass of indefinite colour that she gave up the vain effort to depict it1 and simply sat to gaze and wonder and enjoy4 ,down by the river the calm pools would catch the carmine of the sky1 till one could fancy that one of the ten plagues had returned to earth1 and that the waters were turned into blood4 ,each leaf of the willows seemed to reflect a shade of warmer hue1 till all was bathed in a glow of ruddy light1 and looking over the gently quivering reed tops to the splendour across the horizon1 one could almost see angels between the cloud bars4 ,miss ,aubrey1 who had lived many years at ,heathwell1 had a score of rustic acquaintances4 ,the cottage folk often sat to her as models4 ,their quaint ways and ingenuous remarks opened out a new phase of the world to ,katrine4 ,she became immensely interested in the villagers1 from ,abel ,barnes1 who still urged the claims of his bow-windowed red-brick villa as a subject for her brush1 to bonny little ,hugh ,gartley1 whose cherubic beauty she vainly tried to transfer to canvas4 ,she found the ,gartleys a fascinating family4 ,there were so many of them1 and they were all so fair and flaxen-haired1 with such ready smiles and winning manners4 ,how they contrived to fit into their very small cottage ,katrine could never imagine4 ,she had spoken once or twice to the mother1 a good-natured1 untidy1 slatternly young woman1 whose income never seemed to run to soap2 but she avoided the father1 an idle ne'er-do-weel with a reputation for poaching4 ,it is very difficult to help the ,gartleys1 said ,miss ,aubrey4 ,the children are most attractive1 but it is simply encouraging pauperism to give to them while ,bob ,gartley stays at home drinking and refusing to work4 ,i hope you haven't given them any money8 ,only a few pennies to ,hugh and ,mary--they looked so pretty1 admitted ,katrine guiltily4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,an ,awkward ,predicament ,for some days ,katrine had been convinced that there was another artist in the neighbourhood4 ,she had caught a glimpse of an easel fixed in a field1 she had found a tube of paint lying in the road1 and had noticed upon a paling the scrapings of a palette4 ,she had not yet1 however1 been vouchsafed a sight of the stranger1 against whom she had conceived a violent prejudice4 ,she had come to regard ,heathwell as the private sketching property of herself and ,miss ,aubrey1 and regarded the new-comer in the light of a poacher on their art preserves4 ,he or she--she did not even know the sex of the intruder--might very well have chosen some other village1 in her opinion1 instead of fixing upon this particular ,paradise4 ,all the same1 she was inquisitive1 and would have liked very much to see the unknown artist's work4 ,one afternoon ,miss ,aubrey took the ,marsdens to a little subject in a meadow on the road to the river4 ,she watched them begin to draw in a picturesque railing and hawthorn stump1 then went herself to another position in the field4 ,left alone1 the girls worked for some time in silence1 ,katrine with whole-hearted absorption1 and ,gwethyn in a more dilettante fashion4 ,the latter did not care to stick at things too long4 ,she soon grew tired1 and threw down her brush4 ,ugh6 ,it makes me stiff to sit so still4 ,i'm going to walk round the pasture4 ,do come1 ,katrine6 ,oh1 how you swat6 ,you might take two minutes' rest4 ,we're just above the road here1 and ,i believe somebody's sitting down below4 ,i can smell tobacco4 ,i'm going to investigate4 ,gwethyn came back in a few moments with her eyes dancing4 ,it's an artist6 she whispered4 ,he's painting in the road exactly below us4 ,i can see his picture through the hedge4 ,come and look6 ,such exciting information broke the spell of ,katrine's work4 ,she put down her palette at once1 and followed ,gwethyn4 ,it was impossible to resist taking a peep at the interesting stranger's sketch4 ,you must promise not even to breathe4 ,i should be most annoyed if he happened to see us1 she declared4 ,all right6 ,i'll be mum as a mouse1 and walk as softly as a pussy-cat4 ,i'll undertake it won't be my fault if he divines our existence4 ,very gently the two girls crept along the edge of the pasture1 trying not to rustle the grass1 and heroically refraining from conversation4 ,here we are6 signalled ,gwethyn at last1 pausing at a thin place in the hedge1 which might have been made on purpose for a peep-hole4 ,through a frame of sycamore leaves they could peer into the road exactly at the spot where the rival easel was pitched4 ,the artist's back was towards them2 they could see nothing but his tweed suit1 his grey hair under a brown hat1 and the skilful right hand which kept dabbing subtle combinations of half-tones upon his canvas4 ,he seemed utterly unconscious of their presence1 and worked away in sublime ignorance that two pairs of eyes were following every stroke of his brush4 ,he was no amateur1 that was plain4 ,the girls were sufficient judges of painting to recognize that though the sketch was still at an elementary stage he had made a masterly beginning4 ,katrine watched quite fascinated1 trying to decide what colours he was using1 and in what proportion he had mixed them4 ,if she could only see his palette1 she might perhaps discover the secret of that particularly warm shadow he was in the act of placing under the near tree4 ,she craned her head a little forward through the hedge4 ,gwethyn1 equally anxious to see everything possible1 pressed closely behind her4 ,whether it was the heat of the sun1 or whether a sycamore leaf tickled the end of her nose1 ,i cannot tell4 ,the cause is immaterial1 but the awful and tangible result was that ,katrine--,katrine1 who prided herself upon prunes and prism--burst without warning into a violent and uncontrollable sneeze6 ,naturally the artist turned at the unwonted sound1 to catch an astonishing vision of two dismayed faces peeping like dryads from the greenery behind him4 ,katrine dashed off like a thief detected red-handed1 but she had hardly gone a yard when ,gwethyn seized her by the arm4 ,katrine6 ,stop6 ,there's no need to run in that silly way4 ,can't you see it's ,mr4 ,freeman8 ,what's the matter1 girls8 asked ,miss ,aubrey1 who had walked up to correct their drawings4 ,katrine felt caught on both sides1 but there seemed nothing for it but to pass off the affair as well as she could4 ,we've met an old friend of my father's1 she explained4 ,i suppose we may say ',how do you do8' to him over the hedge8 ,if the girls were surprised to see ,mr4 ,freeman1 he was equally astonished to find them at ,heathwell4 ,didn't know you were at school here4 ,it's a grand part of the world for sketching4 ,never saw so many paintable bits in my life4 ,my diggings are in the village4 ,yes1 come down and look at my picture1 if you like4 ,mr4 ,freeman had often been a guest at the ,marsdens'4 ,the girls knew him well4 ,he had criticized ,katrine's earliest art efforts1 and had painted a portrait of ,gwethyn when she was about seven years old4 ,he seemed to have grasped the humour of the present situation1 for he gazed up the bank with twinkling eyes4 ,katrine hastily introduced ,miss ,aubrey over the top of the hedge1 not a very dignified method of presenting a friend1 but the only one available4 ,fortunately ,miss ,aubrey was not ,mrs4 ,franklin6 ,an invitation to make a nearer acquaintance with the picture was irresistible4 ,katrine took her teacher by the arm1 and pulled her gently in the direction of the gate4 ,she offered no objection4 ,i was most extremely glad for ,mr4 ,freeman to meet ,miss ,aubrey1 ,katrine confided to ,gwethyn afterwards4 ,two such good artists positively ought to know each other4 ,they've each got a picture in the ,academy1 and--isn't it funny8--in the very same room--numbers #djb and #dcg6 ,they seemed to find plenty to talk about1 returned ,gwethyn4 ,i hope ,mr4 ,freeman really will look us up at school4 ,not only did their artist friend take an early opportunity of calling on them at ,aireyholme1 but he asked ,miss ,aubrey to bring them to see his sketches in the little studio he had rigged up in the village4 ,it was a treat to be shown his charming interpretations of ,heathwell and its inhabitants4 ,he had already requisitioned some of the ,gartley children as models1 and was in ecstasies over their picturesque appearance4 ,his study of the ,high ,street at sunset was a poem on canvas4 ,this beats every other place ,i've ever stayed at for painting1 he announced4 ,now ,i've found this studio1 ,i shall stop here for the summer4 ,there's any amount to be done4 ,you'll certainly find plenty of subjects round about1 agreed ,miss ,aubrey4 ,i wonder if the painting is altogether the whole of the attraction1 mused ,gwethyn1 who in some respects was wise beyond her years4 99 99 99 99 99 ,miss ,aubrey was an immense favourite at ,aireyholme1 but among all the girls she had no stancher and more whole-hearted admirer than ,githa ,hamilton4 ,githa was not demonstrative--she never said much2 but whenever possible she haunted her idol like a drab little shadow1 watching her with adoring eyes1 and hanging upon her words4 ,miss ,aubrey had a very shrewd suspicion that ,githa was lonely at home and left out at school4 ,realizing her peculiar disposition1 she made no great fuss over her1 but every now and then managed unobtrusively to include the girl in some special expedition or particular treat4 ,at an early date in ,june she arranged to take a few members of the painting class on a ,saturday excursion to ,chiplow1 where a fine old abbey would provide a capital subject for an afternoon's sketching4 ,chiplow was on a different line of railway from ,carford1 therefore the ,heathwell local trains were of little use in getting there4 ,the quickest route was to bicycle to ,chorlton ,lacy1 a station on the ,south ,midland line1 seven miles away1 whence they could book excursion tickets to ,chiplow4 ,only girls possessing bicycles were available for the jaunt1 and as for one reason or another several of these were obliged to be excluded1 ,miss ,aubrey invited ,githa to accompany them and make up the dozen required for the issue of the special cheap holiday bookings4 ,the poor little ,toadstool turned up radiant with delight1 and looking really almost pretty in her khaki-coloured cycle costume1 scarlet tie1 and poppy-trimmed ,panama4 ,a ,union ,jack fluttered from her newly-polished machine1 and in the basket which hung from the handle-bars she had a store of home-made toffee as well as her sketch-book4 ,in first-rate spirits the party set off along the road1 riding in style through the village1 with much ringing of bells to scare away children4 ,they free-wheeled for nearly a mile downhill1 and then had a splendid level stretch of road beside the river bank4 ,we're getting along capitally1 said ,miss ,aubrey4 ,at this rate we shall be at the station half an hour too soon4 ,unless we meet with some excitement6 ventured ,gwethyn hopefully4 ,if ,gwethyn craved for excitement1 she was soon to find it4 ,they had not gone half a mile farther before their way was barred by an enormous bull1 which1 to judge by a gap in the hedge1 must have broken out of a neighbouring field4 ,there it stood1 in a dip of the road1 right in their path1 tossing its great head1 pawing the ground1 and bellowing lustily4 ,the cyclists jumped off their machines1 decidedly scared by the apparition that faced them4 ,oh1 but doesn't it look a splendid subject8 gasped ,katrine1 whose artistic instincts were uppermost even at such a crisis4 ,if we could only draw it6 ,don't be idiotic6 cried ,nan ,bethell4 ,it would be like taking a snapshot of a lion when it's rushing at you with open jaws6 ,i'm sure ,rosa ,bonheur or ,lucy ,kemp-,welch would have sketched it4 ,then they'd have been impaled1 one on each horn1 and serve them right for tempting ,providence4 ,look at the dust the creature's raising in the road6 ,all the party were in consternation4 ,miss ,aubrey1 who felt the responsibility of her charge1 and moreover had a natural fear of bulls1 for once almost lost her presence of mind4 ,what are we to do8 ,it would be madness to try and ride past it4 ,i suppose we shall have to turn back home1 she fluttered4 ,can't we call for help8 ,halloo6 shouted some of the girls4 ,there's nobody about4 ,i see a hat in that field6 ,it's only a scarecrow6 ,then ,githa1 who had been standing silently by her bicycle1 suddenly assumed direction of the situation4 ,stop shouting6 ,you'll excite the bull6 she commanded4 ,now let us stack our machines in the ditch1 and climb over this fence into the field4 ,come along1 quick6 ,this way6 ,it seemed such excellent advice that even ,miss ,aubrey obeyed quite meekly4 ,leaving their bicycles below1 they all scrambled hastily up the bank and over some hurdles into a field4 ,we're safe1 but we shall lose our train6 lamented ,gladwin ,riley4 ,not a bit of it6 ,we'll turn up in time at the station1 you'll see6 replied ,githa4 ,just leave it to me6 ,she broke a stick from the hedge1 picked up several large stones1 and then ran along the meadow for some distance and climbed another fence4 ,all at once the girls realized her intention4 ,she was descending into the road in the rear of the bull4 ,stop her6 ,stop her6 shrieked ,miss ,aubrey4 ,by that time1 however1 ,githa was half-way down the bank4 ,before the bull had time to realize her presence and turn round1 she began a vigorous onslaught with stones upon his hind quarters1 shouting at the pitch of her lungs4 ,her sudden attack had exactly the effect she hoped4 ,the bull1 enraged by the noise and the stones1 rushed blindly forward along the road1 passing the bicycles without notice1 and stampeding in the direction of ,heathwell4 ,someone will stop him before he gets into the village1 murmured ,miss ,aubrey at the top of the bank4 ,the brave little ,toadstool received an ovation as the rest of the party climbed down from the post of vantage4 ,she took her honours ungraciously4 ,what's the use of making a fuss8 ,anyone with two grains of sense would have thought of it4 ,for goodness' sake1 let me get on my machine6 ,we haven't overmuch time1 and we don't want to miss our train standing palavering4 ,how just exactly like ,githa ,hamilton6 commented ,hilda ,smart1 as the girls resumed their interrupted ride4 ,after all1 they arrived at the station with five minutes to spare1 just long enough to book their excursion tickets and to leave their bicycles in the left-luggage office4 ,they were fortunate enough to find an empty carriage1 and crammed themselves in somehow2 it was rather a tight fit for a dozen1 but it felt so much jollier to be all together4 ,chiplow was an hour's journey away2 a few of the party had been there before1 but to most it was a new experience4 ,the abbey was one of the show places of the county1 and the old town had a historic reputation4 ,there was plenty to be seen in the streets alone3 the houses were of the sixteenth century1 and very picturesque--many of them with carved wooden pillars1 and with dates and coats-of-arms over the doorways4 ,miss ,aubrey took her charges into the church1 a dim1 ancient edifice with a leper window1 a sounding-board over the pulpit1 and1 almost hidden away in the transept1 a ducking-stool for scolds4 ,the girls looked at the curious old instrument of punishment with great curiosity2 and ,githa1 who had brought her camera1 took a time exposure of it4 ,poor old souls6 said ,katrine4 ,it was too bad to souse them in the pond just because they waxed too eloquent4 ,i've no doubt the husbands deserved it4 ,if everybody who talks too much nowadays were treated to the cold-water cure1 we should be a taciturn set4 ,it might be a wholesome warning in some cases1 laughed ,miss ,aubrey4 ,it's really very trying when people babble on all about nothing1 and insist upon one's listening to them4 ,after lunch at a cafe in the town1 the party adjourned to the abbey1 a most romantic ruin1 standing among woods by the side of a river4 ,the monks of old must have been true artists to choose such unrivalled sites on which to rear their glorious architecture4 ,it was an exquisite jewel in a perfect setting1 and ,miss ,aubrey was soon in ecstasies over delicate pieces of tracery and perpendicular windows4 ,she set her class to work on an arched gateway overhung by a graceful silver-birch tree4 ,it was not a particularly easy subject1 and most of them did not accomplish more than the drawing1 though ,katrine and ,nan managed to put on a little colour during the last half-hour4 ,everyone was very loath to leave when ,miss ,aubrey at last declared it was time to close the sketch-books4 ,their train was due at six1 and they must have tea before starting1 so it was impossible to linger any longer4 ,katrine had bought a guide-book at the abbey1 and studied it over the tea-table at the cafe4 ,she was dismayed to find how many objects of interest in the town they had missed4 ,i should like to see the old house where ,mary ,queen of ,scots stayed1 she exclaimed4 ,it's only just down the street here4 ,miss ,aubrey1 ,gwethyn and ,i have finished tea2 may we go and look at it8 ,we'll be ever so quick4 ,you can if you like1 but don't miss the train4 ,if you turn up ,cliff ,street1 exactly opposite the hospital1 it will bring you straight to the station1 and save your walking back here4 ,six o'clock1 remember6 ,oh1 thank you6 ,there's heaps of time4 ,come1 ,gwethyn6 ,the ,marsdens marched off with their guide-book1 and easily found the old house in question1 which was now used as an ,alms ,hospital for superannuated and disabled soldiers4 ,they so dutifully curtailed their inspection of it1 that ,katrine declared they might safely go and look at the ruins of the city gate1 which1 according to her guide1 must be quite close by4 ,whether the book was unreliable1 or whether ,katrine1 in her haste1 missed the right turning1 is uncertain1 but after wandering vainly round several streets the girls found themselves down by the bank of the river4 ,you said we had plenty of time1 but you didn't look at your watch1 panted ,gwethyn4 ,if that clock over there is right1 we shall never catch our train4 ,oh1 you are a genius to-day6 ,a prince of path-finders6 ,katrine came to a sudden halt4 ,gwethyn's remarks were unpalatable1 but strictly true4 ,there were exactly ten minutes to spare4 ,to go back to the station would require at least twenty4 ,it's the only train available by our excursion tickets1 wailed ,gwethyn4 ,i believe there's a later one about nine or ten o'clock1 but they'll make us pay the difference between cheap bookings and ordinary fare4 ,i can see the glass roof of the station across the river1 and there's a bridge in front of us4 ,it's probably a short cut1 and will save half the distance1 announced ,katrine hopefully4 ,come along6 ,perhaps we can just do it6 ,the girls scurried forward in frantic haste4 ,what convenient things bridges were6 ,why1 of course1 there was the railway quite close on the other side4 ,they tore across the creaking planks in triumph1 feeling that every step brought them nearer to the station4 ,but alas6 for the vanity of human wishes6 ,the farther side of the bridge was closed by a turnstile1 and a fiend in human form was basely and mercenarily demanding the one thing in the world which at present they could not muster--a penny toll6 ,it seemed absurd to be in the depths of destitution1 but it was the fact4 ,they had given the money for the day's excursion to ,miss ,aubrey1 who acted as paymaster for the whole party1 and the few pence they had kept they had spent on the guide-book and some chocolates4 ,to be at one's last penny is a proverbial expression1 but ,katrine and ,gwethyn had never before realized the dire extremity of being absolutely without a single specimen of that useful coin of the realm4 ,they rummaged in their pockets1 hoping against hope that some stray copper might have slipped into an obscure corner1 and have been overlooked4 ,gwethyn even felt the bottom of her coat1 in case a threepenny-bit could have strayed between the material and the lining4 ,in the meantime the keeper of the bridge stood with outstretched hand1 awaiting his dues1 casting an impatient eye back into his toll-house1 where his tea was rapidly cooling upon the table4 ,we find we haven't any money with us1 faltered ,katrine at last4 ,would you please let us through without1 and we'd send you stamps to-morrow8 ,couldn't do it1 responded the man surlily4 ,this bridge is a cash concern1 and ,i never give credit4 ,but we want to catch a train1 pleaded ,gwethyn1 and there isn't time to go back through the town4 ,our tickets are only available by this train1 and our friends are waiting for us at the station1 added ,katrine4 ,i've heard tales like this before6 ,don't you try to come over me6 ,you either pays your pennies1 or you won't go through this gate6 ,if we left something as a pledge8 cried ,katrine in despair4 ,here's my paint-box1 or my coat1 or--yes1 even my watch6 ,you must let us pass6 declared ,gwethyn tragically4 ,must1 indeed6 ,i'm put here in charge of the bridge1 and a pretty thing it would be if ,i was to let everyone through scot-free6 ,i've my orders1 and ,i'll do my duty1 said the toll-keeper officiously1 waving away the articles which ,katrine was vainly trying to press upon him4 ,the poor girls were waxing hysterical4 ,the precious moments were hurrying by1 and already a suggestive whistle in the distance gave ominous warning of the approaching train4 ,to be left behind in ,chiplow was a prospect too appalling even to contemplate4 ,they had serious thoughts of either attempting to push past the official1 or to make a dash and climb the railings1 both of which proceedings would be equally undignified and illegal4 ,at this desperate and critical moment a little figure suddenly rushed up from behind--a gasping1 panting figure1 with hair flying in wild elf locks1 and pale cheeks scarlet for once4 ,open the gate quick6 it commanded4 ,threepence8 ,here you are6 ,come on6 ,we'll just do it6 ,there was no time even to greet their deliverer4 ,the three girls simply tore along the road that led to the station1 with their eyes fixed on the signal1 which was already down4 ,the ,toadstool was swift of foot1 and had indomitable pluck1 or1 winded already1 she could never have managed that last wild spurt4 ,caught it by the skin of our teeth6 exclaimed ,katrine a minute and a half later1 as1 nearly exhausted1 the girls were hustled into a compartment by the distracted ,miss ,aubrey1 just the moment before the train started4 ,oh1 dear6 ,i've never had such a scramble in all my life6 ,i'm half dead6 ,githa ,hamilton1 you're an absolute trump6 whispered ,gwethyn1 when she recovered sufficient breath for speech4 ,that horrid man wouldn't let us through4 ,we should have had to stop in ,chiplow4 ,it was good of you to come after us6 ,no1 it wasn't6 snapped the ,toadstool rather gaspily4 ,i did it to please ,miss ,aubrey2 ,i didn't care twopence about you two4 ,she was getting anxious1 so ,i said ,i'd follow you and round you up somehow4 ,a precious job ,i had1 asking people if they'd seen two girls in ,panama hats6 ,whatever induced you to go down by the river8 ,you pair of sillies6 ,it would have just served you jolly well right if you'd been left in ,chiplow after all6 ,,chapter ,,vii ,the ,mad ,hatters ,if ,katrine was determined that her career at ,aireyholme should be ,art before all1 ,gwethyn's school motto might be described as ,fun at any price4 ,her high spirits were continually at effervescing point1 and she was fast acquiring the reputation of champion ragger of the ,fifth4 ,there were rollicking times in the form1 jokes and chaff to an even greater extent than had obtained before her advent4 ,half a dozen of the girls had always been lively1 but now1 under ,gwethyn's sway1 their escapades earned them the title of the ,mad ,hatters4 ,the influence spread downwards and infected the juniors4 ,eight members of the ,fourth formed themselves into a league dubbed ,the ,march ,hares1 and by the wildness of their pranks sought to outdo their seniors4 ,there was a rivalry of jokes between them1 and whichever scored the most points for the time held the palm4 ,needless to say1 their efforts were scarcely appreciated at head-quarters4 ,things considered intensely diverting by the form were viewed very differently by mistresses and monitresses1 and both ,hatters and ,hares were liable to find themselves in trouble4 ,i have mentioned that ,katrine and ,gwethyn slept in a little room over the porch4 ,the door was in the middle of a long passage leading to other bedrooms1 occupied by the ,fourth and ,fifth4 ,the ,aireyholme dormitory discipline was tolerably strict1 and usually the girls were a well-conducted crew4 ,one morning some unlucky star caused ,gwethyn to open her eyes before the usual #f4cj bell1 and aroused in her a spirit of mischief4 ,taking her pillow1 she stole along the passage to ,no4 #i1 and awoke ,marian1 ,susie1 and ,megan4 ,come along6 she proclaimed4 ,let's find ,dona and ,beatrix1 and go and rout up the ,march ,hares4 ,there's time for a little artillery practice before the bell rings4 ,bolsters are heavy ammunition1 and pillows light4 ,you can take your choice6 ,anyone refusing to do battle will be proclaimed coward4 ,all the fallen will be buried with the honours of war4 ,get up1 you soft ,sybarites6 ,finding their bedclothes on the floor1 and severe tickling the penalty of a love for slumber1 the occupants of the various dormitories on the landing turned out and followed their leader4 ,hares versus ,hatters6 commanded ,gwethyn4 ,you may duck and dodge1 but anyone fairly hit is to be considered fallen4 ,the bedrooms are trenches4 ,remember1 mum's the word1 though6 ,the battle began1 and waged fiercely4 ,the missiles flew hither and thither4 ,some of the girls were good shots1 but others had the proverbial feminine incapacity for a true aim4 ,there were wildly thrilling encounters1 frantic chasings1 and wholesale routs4 ,in their excitement the combatants completely forgot the necessity for silence2 they chuckled1 groaned1 hooted1 and even squealed4 ,small wonder that1 long before the fight was fought to a finish1 an avenging deity in a dressing-gown appeared upon the scene and proclaimed a compulsory peace4 ,girls6 ,whatever are you doing8 demanded ,viola4 ,you ought to be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves4 ,go back to your rooms at once6 ,you know this kind of thing is not allowed4 ,the delinquents seized their missiles and beat a hurried retreat1 while ,viola1 who was wise in her generation1 sounded the bell as a signal for the rest of the school to rise and dress4 ,they'll get into mischief again if ,i leave them larking about in their rooms1 and it won't do anybody any harm to be up a quarter of an hour earlier for once1 she decided4 ,but ,i'll see they put in the extra time at preparation4 ,the young wretches6 ,the head girl was as good as her word4 ,she kept a stern eye on the sinners directly they appeared downstairs4 ,the morning's a good time to work1 she announced grimly4 ,if you're fond of early rising1 ,i'll call you all every day at six1 and arrange for prep4 at half-past instead of at seven4 ,no doubt you'd benefit by it4 ,the jokers1 who had not calculated upon an increased allowance of school hours1 sought their desks glumly4 ,but there was a further trial in store for them4 ,when they were seated at breakfast1 ,mrs4 ,franklin took her place at the table with an air of long-suffering and injured patience4 ,girls6 she began1 in a martyred voice1 ,i have been most hurt1 most pained1 at what occurred this morning4 ,anything more thoughtless and inconsiderate ,i could not have imagined4 ,i had passed a bad night1 and ,i was snatching a short sleep1 when ,i was awakened by an uproar that is without all precedent4 ,when ,ermengarde was here1 such a thing never occurred4 ,there was a different spirit abroad in the school4 ,every girl1 even the youngest junior1 was careful for my comfort1 and would not have dreamed of disturbing me4 ,i fear now an entirely selfish feeling prevails in the ,fifth and ,fourth ,forms4 ,i am grieved to see it4 ,our traditions at ,aireyholme have been very high4 ,i beg the standard may never be lowered4 ,no names were mentioned1 but ,hares and ,hatters were conscious that the eyes of the rest of the school were fixed upon them with scornful reproach4 ,they ate their breakfast in a state of dejection4 ,i never dreamed ,mrs4 ,franklin would take it that way6 mourned ,rose afterwards to her fellow-delinquents4 ,diana ,bennett says we are a set of brutes1 sighed ,beatrix ruefully4 ,she admired ,diana1 and winced under her scorn4 ,the others were wild at getting extra prep4 this morning4 ,they're ready to take it out of us1 remarked ,susie4 ,look here1 said ,gwethyn1 ,i think the best way to settle the whole business will be to go and apologize to ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,say we didn't know she had a headache1 and we're sorry4 ,that ought to square things4 ,right-o6 ,then ,diana may stop nagging4 ,at the eleven-o'clock interval a dozen girls reported themselves at the ,principal's study1 and with ,rose as spokeswoman1 tendered an embarrassed apology4 ,mrs4 ,franklin was not inclined to treat the matter too lightly2 she considered herself justly offended2 but after listening with due gravity1 she solemnly and majestically forgave them4 ,i suppose ,i cannot expect all to be as naturally thoughtful and kind-hearted as ,ermengarde1 she added1 but ,i try to stand in the place of a mother to you here1 and ,i hope to meet with some response4 ,i am afraid ,mrs4 ,franklin would have been grieved again if she had heard the laughter that ensued when the girls were out of ear-shot of the study4 ,they were really sorry to have hurt her feelings1 but the mention of the impeccable ,ermengarde was always a subject for mirth4 ,i have it on absolute authority that ,ermengarde once made another girl an apple-pie bed6 tittered ,susie4 ,it was ,nell ,stokes who told me4 ,she was at ,aireyholme then1 and slept in the same dormitory4 ,what happened8 ,history doesn't relate4 ,i should say ,saint ,ermie got disciplined and did penance4 ,she wasn't canonized then6 ,although ,mrs4 ,franklin was apt to be a little pompous and over stately1 she was very good to the pupils on the whole1 and they thoroughly respected her4 ,they sympathized deeply with her anxiety for news from the war1 where her two sons were serving their country4 ,many of the girls had brothers or cousins in the ,army1 and each morning an enthusiastic crowd collected to hear the items which ,mrs4 ,franklin read out to them4 ,they were not allowed to look at the daily papers for themselves1 as ,mrs4 ,franklin considered many of the details unsuitable for their perusal2 but she gave them a carefully-edited summary of the course of events1 with special particulars1 if possible1 of regiments in which they were interested4 ,the occasional letters received by girls from relatives at the front were subjects for great rejoicing4 ,they compared notes keenly over the experiences related4 ,katrine and ,gwethyn scored considerably1 for their brother ,hereward was a fairly regular correspondent1 and gave vivid accounts of his campaigning4 ,it was at ,gwethyn's suggestion that the school held what they called a ,heroes' ,exhibition4 ,every girl with a relative engaged in the war was requested to lend his photograph1 any chance snapshots she might have of him1 any newspaper cuttings narrating his achievements1 and any of his regimental buttons1 if she were lucky enough to possess them4 ,these contributions were arranged on a table with an appropriate background of flags and sprigs of laurel4 ,a penny each was charged for admission1 and catalogues of the exhibits were sold at one halfpenny4 ,as all the girls1 the mistresses1 and three of the servants patronized the show1 the sum of five shillings and twopence halfpenny was cleared1 and put in the ,belgian ,relief ,fund ,box4 ,gwethyn had wished to add a competition with votes for the handsomest hero1 but ,mrs4 ,franklin sternly vetoed the idea4 ,it would have been ever such fun1 and the girls would have loved it6 ,gwethyn assured her chums in private1 but of course ,i see the reason4 ,mrs4 ,franklin's sons may be very estimable1 but they're both plain1 and of course ,hereward's photo would have won the most votes2 he's by far the best-looking6 ,you utter goose6 ,that wasn't the reason1 snubbed ,rose ,randall4 ,besides which1 if it comes to a question of looks1 your brother isn't in the running with my cousin ,everard4 99 99 99 99 99 ,gwethyn's fertile brain was continually at work4 ,in spite of the madness of some of her propositions1 she was really an acquisition to the ,fifth4 ,she could always be counted upon for new suggestions1 and on wet days she would invent games1 get up charades1 or engineer impromptu entertainments with the ingenuity of a variety manager4 ,one afternoon the heavy rain prevented the girls from taking their usual outdoor exercise between dinner and school4 ,very disconsolately they hung about1 grumbling at the downpour4 ,only the ,sixth ,form were privileged to use the studio on such occasions2 the younger ones1 flung on their own resources1 killed time as best they could4 ,the ,fourth suffered more particularly1 as it was their afternoon for the tennis courts1 and they had had bad luck lately in the matter of weather on their special tennis days4 ,i declare1 ,i'm sorry for those poor kids6 said ,gwethyn4 ,this is the third ,wednesday their sets have been stopped4 ,they are standing in the corridor1 looking like a funeral4 ,can't we liven them up somehow8 ,all serene6 ,let's ask them into our form room and play games1 agreed ,rose4 ,where are the rest of us8 ,jill1 go and hunt up ,susie and ,beatrix4 ,it's far more fun when there are plenty4 ,i say1 you kiddies there1 come along and have some jinks6 ,pass the word on4 ,the juniors responded promptly to the invitation4 ,they flocked into the ,fifth room1 and settled themselves anywhere1 on desks or floor4 ,what's the game8 they asked hopefully4 ,it's quite a new one1 explained ,gwethyn1 who had had a hasty private conference with some of her chums4 ,it's called ',the ,oracle of ,fortune'4 ,i'm to be blindfolded so that ,i can't see the least peep2 then you're all to march round me in a circle4 ,when ,i tap with this stick1 you stop1 and ,i point at somebody who comes forward4 ,oh1 ,i know6 ,french blind-man's-buff4 ,that's nothing new6 exclaimed ,madge ,carter4 ,no1 it's not ,french blind-man's-buff1 returned ,gwethyn1 so crushingly that ,madge was sorry she had spoken4 ,i don't feel your faces while you giggle--it's something quite different4 ,i tell your characters4 ,if they're correct1 you walk on4 ,if ,i make a mistake1 you may take my place as oracle4 ,who's to judge if they're right8 ,the general opinion6 frowned ,gwethyn4 ,but suppose---- ,oh1 suppress that dormouse6 exclaimed some of the ,march ,hares4 ,where is there a big handkerchief to bind your eyes8 ,you mustn't have the least little teeny weeny scrap of a peep-hole left4 ,we'll take care of that4 ,bandaged to the entire satisfaction of all spectators1 ,gwethyn took her place in the centre of the room1 and the girls commenced to circle round her4 ,at a rap from her stick they halted4 ,she pointed blindly to an unknown figure1 who stepped silently forward4 ,list to the ,oracle6 proclaimed ,gwethyn dramatically4 ,sweet temper1 kindness1 and modesty here go hand in hand4 ,pass on1 gentle maiden1 thou art worthy6 ,bertha ,grant1 a small and inoffensive junior1 retired into the ring amid the applause of the audience1 and the march continued4 ,at the next halt ,myrtle ,goodwin1 a particularly turbulent and mischievous member of the ,fourth1 responded to the rap4 ,whom have we here8 murmured the ,oracle4 ,alas6 my inner sense tells me this is imp1 not angel4 ,go and amend thy misdeeds4 ,i feel the darkness of thy shadow4 ,again a round of clapping certified to the correctness of the character given4 ,the girls began to think the game rather fun4 ,laura ,browne happened to be the next chosen4 ,fair on the surface1 but false below1 was the verdict4 ,the professed friend of everybody1 but the chum of nobody4 ,full of promises1 but shy of performance4 ,she can see6 ,she must be able to see6 shouted the girls1 much struck by the aptness of the remarks4 ,no1 ,i can't4 ,not one hair-breadth4 ,look at my bandages for yourselves1 declared ,gwethyn emphatically 7though she murmured ,done you1 ,laura ,browne6 under her breath74 ,does anybody imagine ,i can see through two silk handkerchiefs8 ,i haven't ,roentgen-ray eyes6 ,the real fact was that ,gwethyn and ,rose had arranged beforehand a code of signals4 ,the characters were to be of three classes--good1 moderate1 and bad4 ,when the march stopped and a girl stepped forward1 ,rose was to give her confederate the required information by means of a cough1 a tap on the floor1 or a laugh4 ,for certain of the girls1 special signals of identification had been arranged4 ,laura was one of these1 and as luck would have it1 the lot had fallen to her early in the game4 ,go on and try me again1 commanded ,gwethyn4 ,anyone who likes may consult the gipsy4 ,at the next halt ,rose signalled as usual1 and the ,oracle responded4 ,whom have we here8 ,a junior remarkable for her charm of disposition1 a girl with many friends1 a favourite in her form---- ,here ,gwethyn was interrupted by an outburst of giggles4 ,wrong for once6 ,this doesn't fit6 ,the ,oracle's not working6 ,gwethyn tore off the silk handkerchiefs that bandaged her eyes4 ,she saw at once what had happened4 ,amid the noise of the tramping she had misinterpreted ,rose's signal junior bad for junior good4 ,instead of addressing one of the pattern members of the ,fourth1 she had been eulogizing ,githa ,hamilton4 ,the poor little ,toadstool stood with a very curious expression in her dark eyes4 ,keen delight was just fading into bitter disappointment4 ,she looked round the circle of tittering girls4 ,not one endorsed the good character1 or had a kind word to say for her--all were clamouring against the falseness of this description4 ,her face hardened4 ,gwethyn perceived it in a flash4 ,does she really care what they think of her8 she speculated4 ,gwethyn's instinct was always to fight on behalf of the losing side1 and at this moment ,githa seemed to stand alone against the whole room4 ,moreover1 the ,oracle was not disposed to own up that she had made a mistake4 ,she stuck1 therefore1 to her guns4 ,if ,githa's not a favourite1 she ought to be4 ,it's your own lack of appreciation4 ,where are your eyes8 ,she's a jewel1 if you'd the sense to see it4 ,there1 ,i'm sick of the whole business4 ,if anybody likes to take my place1 ,i'll resign4 ,or shall we play something else instead8 ,perhaps the girls thought the game was growing rather too personal4 ,nobody offered to act gipsy1 and someone hurriedly suggested ,clumps4 ,in less than a minute the crowd had divided into two close circles1 and the catechism of animal1 vegetable1 or mineral began briskly4 ,githa took no open notice of ,gwethyn's unexpected championship1 but from that afternoon her attitude changed4 ,instead of continually snapping1 or exercising her wit in sharp little remarks1 she was unusually quiet4 ,she would watch ,gwethyn without speaking1 and often followed her about the school1 though always at a short distance and with no apparent intention4 ,it was at this crisis that ,gwethyn one morning received bad news4 ,tony1 her ,pekinese spaniel1 and the idol of her heart1 had been put out to board when the ,marsdens left home4 ,his foster-mistress1 a respectable working woman1 wrote occasionally to record his progress4 ,hitherto her letters had been satisfactory1 but to-day her report was serious4 ,katrine found ,gwethyn weeping violently in the sanctum of their bedroom4 ,what's the matter8 she asked in some anxiety4 ,matter6 ,oh6 whatever am ,i to do8 ,read this4 ,,dear ,,miss ,,marsden1 ,i did not answer your inquiries before about the poor little dog1 hoping he might pick up a bit1 but indeed he frets like to break his heart4 ,the children next door worries him1 and he won't eat1 and he has gone that thin it is pitiful to see him4 ,i do my best1 but he does not like being here4 ,he is getting just a bag of bones1 and my husband says it is nothing but home-sickness4 ,will you please tell me what ,i am to do about him8 ,your obedient servant1 ,,mary ,,carter4 ,the darling6 ,the poor darling6 ,breaking his little heart for his missis6 sobbed ,gwethyn4 ,i knew he'd never be happy at the ,carters' cottage4 ,a bag of bones6 ,oh1 my ,tony6 ,katrine1 have you got a penny stamp8 ,the girls at ,aireyholme were not supposed to send letters without submitting them first to a mistress1 but the rule was not very strictly enforced1 and ,gwethyn had no difficulty in answering by return of post4 ,what she said to ,mrs4 ,carter she did not reveal even to ,katrine4 ,through the whole of that day and the next1 she went about with a look of mingled anxiety and triumph on her face4 ,illustration3 ,,gwethyn ,,tore ,,off ,,the ,,silk ,,handkerchiefs4 ,,she ,,saw ,,at ,,once ,,what ,,had ,,happened ,at four o'clock on the following afternoon1 just when the girls were coming from their classes1 there was a bustle at the side door4 ,a porter with a hand-cart from the railway station was delivering a large hamper4 ,mrs4 ,franklin chanced to be passing at the moment1 and stopped to make inquiries4 ,a hamper8 ,for whom8 ,miss ,g4 ,marsden6 ,and labelled ',live ,stock1 with ,care'6 ,what does this mean8 ,gwethyn1 coming out of the ,fifth ,form room1 caught sight of the hand-cart1 and with a cry of ecstasy made a rush for the hamper4 ,it's ,tony6 ,my darling ,tony6 ,oh1 my pretty boy6 where are you8 ,pulling her penknife from her pocket1 she cut the cords in a trice1 and opening the lid1 clutched her whimpering pet in her arms4 ,a crowd of girls collected to see what was happening4 ,mrs4 ,franklin thought it high time to interfere4 ,gwethyn ,marsden1 whose dog is this8 she asked sharply4 ,he's mine6 ,we left him at a cottage when we shut up our house1 but he fretted1 so ,i told ,mrs4 ,carter to send him here4 ,he wanted his missis4 ,you sent for this dog on your own authority8 ,and without asking my permission8 ,he was breaking his heart6 ,you have taken the most unwarrantable liberty6 ,mrs4 ,franklin was bridling with indignation4 ,i cannot allow you to keep this dog4 ,it must be sent back4 ,oh no1 please1 please6 implored ,gwethyn4 ,he'll die if he has to go back4 ,i won't let him be one scrap of trouble4 ,he'd sleep on my bed4 ,impossible6 said the ,principal firmly4 ,do you think ,i am going to relax all the rules of the school in your favour8 ,you have been indulged too much already4 ,there are thirty-six pupils here1 and if each one wished to keep a pet the place would be a menagerie4 ,i cannot make an exception in your case4 ,it was most impertinent of you to write and arrange for the animal to be sent4 ,matters had reached the point of tragedy4 ,mrs4 ,franklin for once was really angry4 ,she considered that the ,marsdens were not sufficiently amenable to school discipline at any time1 but this breach was beyond all bounds4 ,gwethyn hugged ,tony tightly1 and wept stubborn tears4 ,then ,githa ,hamilton stepped to the rescue4 ,please1 ,mrs4 ,franklin1 instead of sending the little dog back1 might ,i take him home with me until the end of the term8 ,my own fox-terrier died two months ago1 and my uncle said ,i could have another dog4 ,it was such a splendid solution of the difficulty that even the ,principal's face cleared4 ,gwethyn wiped her eyes1 and beamed encouragement4 ,are you sure your uncle and aunt would consent8 asked ,mrs4 ,franklin1 hopefully but doubtfully4 ,oh1 yes6 ,they said ,i might take the first nice puppy that was offered me2 so ,i know it's all right4 ,then ,i shall be very much obliged if you will accept the charge of this dog4 ,i'll be only too glad4 ,githa1 you absolute angel6 murmured ,gwethyn1 pressing her treasure into the ,toadstool's hospitable arms as ,mrs4 ,franklin1 mollified at last1 turned into the house4 ,angels don't have khaki-coloured complexions6 ,yes1 they do--the nicest sort6 ,i don't care for the golden-headed kind4 ,at this moment you're my beau-ideal of blessedness4 ,toadstools savour of elves1 not angels6 ,githa was well aware of her nickname4 ,but look here6 ,i'll take good care of the little chap1 and make him happy4 ,i'll smuggle him to school sometimes1 so that you can see him4 ,i could shut him up in the tool-house1 if ,i square ,fuller4 ,your collie won't devour him8 ,gwethyn asked1 with a sudden burst of anxiety4 ,rolf never touches small dogs4 ,he's a gentleman in that4 ,don't you worry4 ,tony'll be quite safe1 and he'll soon fatten up with plenty of milk1 and a garden to run about in4 ,bless him6 ,he's taking to his new missis already4 ,there1 precious one6 ,i want him back at the holidays1 cried ,gwethyn jealously4 ,he's not to forget me4 ,right you are6 ,hold him while ,i get my hat and my bike4 ,i don't think ,i can carry him and ride--he'd wriggle4 ,i'll have to wheel my machine home4 ,there1 kiss his nose just once more1 and let him go6 ,,chapter ,,viii ,an ,adventure ,the transference of ,tony cemented the friendship between ,gwethyn and ,githa4 ,with such a precious bond to unite them1 intimacy followed as a matter of course4 ,on closer acquaintance the little ,toadstool proved quite an interesting companion2 she was humorous and amusing1 and though not demonstrative1 seemed to have a store of affection hidden behind the barrier of her reserve4 ,she was seldom confidential1 but every now and then she would open her heart the least little bit1 and give ,gwethyn a peep at her real feelings4 ,why did you take such a spite against me when first ,i came8 asked the latter in one of these rare moments4 ,i don't know6 ,i liked you and yet ,i hated you6 ,i think it was because you and ,katrine sprung yourselves so suddenly on me that morning in the orchard4 ,you caught me in my old pinafore feeding the fowls4 ,you both looked so smart1 and you marched up so confidently asking for milk1 and evidently taking me for a farm girl4 ,i could have thrown stones at you6 ,i thought you were conceited1 and ,i'd try and take you down a peg4 ,you certainly did your best4 ,you were absolutely vitriolic6 ,well1 ,i'm sorry4 ,no1 ,i'm not6 ,you were rather conceited at first4 ,you and ,katrine thought you'd just run the show at ,aireyholme4 ,you're ever so much nicer now4 ,don't be offended6 ,i always say what ,i think4 ,you know that by this time4 ,the ,toadstool was certainly apt to carry the virtue of frankness beyond all bounds1 and to allow it to degenerate into a vice4 ,gwethyn1 however1 was a very even-tempered girl1 and instead of taking offence she only laughed good-humouredly at most of ,githa's remarks1 and told her not to be a little wasp4 ,in the circumstances it was the best possible treatment4 ,people who are fond of making smart and stinging remarks are always disconcerted if they fall flat4 ,gwethyn's good-natured toleration made ,githa rather ashamed of herself4 ,insensibly she was catching her new friend's tone4 ,the habit of perpetually sharpening her wit upon her companions began to slip away2 not all at once1 for habits are a strong growth1 but by distinctly perceptible degrees4 ,even the girls noticed a difference4 ,spitfire isn't half so venomous as she used to be1 was the general verdict4 ,though ,githa might practise plain speaking where other people were concerned1 she was extremely reserved on the subject of her own affairs4 ,only very occasionally would she wax confidential and talk about her home life4 ,even then the scraps of information seemed to escape her unwillingly4 ,from the few hints thus dropped1 and from what the other girls could tell1 ,gwethyn pieced together the main outline of her friend's childhood4 ,it was a sad little story4 ,lilac ,grange had been full of tragedy4 ,six years ago1 when on a visit there1 ,githa's father1 mother1 and two elder sisters had fallen victims to a virulent outbreak of diphtheria1 and had died within a few days of one another4 ,the boy and girl1 the sole survivors of the family1 were adopted by their grandfather1 and had lived with him at the ,grange until his sudden death three years afterwards4 ,old ,mr4 ,ledbury had often mentioned that he meant to make provision for his two grandchildren1 but apparently he had allowed the months to slip by without fulfilling his intention4 ,when his affairs were investigated1 the only will which could be discovered was one dated ten years back1 in which he left his entire fortune to his elder son1 ,wilfred ,ledbury4 ,at that time he had quarrelled with his daughter1 ,githa's mother1 but a reconciliation had followed shortly afterwards1 and the ,hamiltons had stayed at the ,grange on quite friendly terms4 ,mr4 ,ledbury had had another son1 ,frank1 a headstrong1 unsettled fellow1 who had also quarrelled with his hot-tempered father and had gone away to ,america4 ,that ,frank should be entirely cut out of any inheritance1 though unjust1 was not surprising2 but the neighbourhood agreed that to leave the orphan grandchildren penniless was an open scandal1 and that old ,mr4 ,ledbury had failed in his duty by neglecting to make a will in their favour4 ,ill-natured people even whispered sometimes that ,mr4 ,wilfred ,ledbury1 who had been on the spot at the time of his father's death1 had spent the night hunting through his papers1 and had probably suppressed any document that was not to his advantage4 ,such stories1 however1 were only in the nature of gossip4 ,nothing could be proved4 ,nobody had seen1 or witnessed1 a later will1 and ,mr4 ,wilfred ,ledbury stepped unchallenged into his heritage4 ,after all1 it was not as good as he had expected4 ,a number of securities1 which he had believed his father to possess1 turned out to have been disposed of beforehand1 though what had become of the purchase-money it was impossible to tell4 ,old ,mr4 ,ledbury had been fond of speculating on the ,stock ,exchange1 and he had probably lost it in some unlucky venture4 ,mrs4 ,wilfred1 thinking the ,grange unhealthy1 had refused to go and live there1 so the furniture was sold1 and the old house was to let1 though so far no tenant had yet been found to take it4 ,mr4 ,wilfred ,ledbury was a solicitor in ,carford1 and owned a pretty house in a much more open and airy situation four miles beyond ,heathwell4 ,his daughter was married 7to his partner in the firm71 and his sons were grown up1 one practising at the ,bar in ,london1 and the other a professor at ,cambridge4 ,his whole interest was centred in his own children and their prospects4 ,he had taken charge of his nephew and niece after his father's death1 and gave them a home and education1 but he let them feel that he considered them an encumbrance4 ,the boarding-school which he chose for ,cedric was not altogether suitable1 but he would not listen to the boy's complaints1 or inquire into the justice of his grievances4 ,githa he simply ignored4 ,he paid the bills for her schooling and clothes1 but took no notice of her4 ,she kept out of his way as much as possible1 and rarely spoke to him unless he asked her a question4 ,mrs4 ,ledbury was not unkind1 but did not care to be troubled with her niece4 ,she left ,githa almost entirely to her own devices4 ,except when her brother came back for the holidays the poor child led a lonely life at her uncle's home4 ,she amused herself mostly out of doors4 ,she was fond of animals1 kept a few rabbits and white mice in a disused stable1 and liked to help to look after the poultry4 ,in the house she was suppressed and quiet1 generally with her nose buried in a book4 ,her aunt said that she was a most unresponsive1 tiresome1 and unaccountable child1 with no sense of gratitude for all that was done for her4 ,the one person in the world whom ,githa worshipped was her brother ,cedric4 ,she lived for his return from school1 and the holidays spent with him were her landmarks for the year4 ,at present she bestowed the wealth of her surplus affection upon ,tony4 ,he was a fascinating little dog1 and so well-behaved that ,mrs4 ,ledbury offered no objections to his temporary adoption4 ,she was really kind to her niece in the matter of allowing her to keep pets4 ,tony took to his new mistress with an enthusiasm that would have disgusted ,gwethyn1 had she seen it4 ,but ,githa was discreet enough not to descant too much upon his blandishments1 and keep his affection as a delightful secret between herself and him4 ,i took you first of all to please ,gwethyn1 you precious6 she would say1 kissing his silky head2 but now you're like my own1 and what ,i'll do when ,i've got to give you up ,i don't know6 ,gwethyn1 ignorant of the fickle ,tony's lightly transferred allegiance1 would ask eagerly for news of him each morning4 ,she kept a snapshot of him on her dressing-table1 and urged ,githa to take the earliest opportunity of smuggling him to school for a day4 ,but ,githa1 under the plea of the gardener's lack of connivance1 and fear of ,mrs4 ,franklin's wrath1 always managed to find some excuse1 and put the matter off to a future date4 ,the ,marsdens had been again to the ,grange with ,miss ,aubrey1 and had finished their sketches of the dovecot4 ,it was a pretty subject1 and the result was quite successful4 ,katrine1 contemplating her canvas in the studio on the following afternoon1 was frankly pleased4 ,we're both improving1 she said to ,gwethyn 7the two girls had the room to themselves for once74 ,i like ,miss ,aubrey's style of teaching immensely4 ,it's just what ,i wanted4 ,she's helped me enormously4 ,by the by1 ,i lost my best penknife at the ,grange yesterday4 ,i must have dropped it somewhere by my camp-stool4 ,what a nuisance6 ,but you have another8 ,not so good4 ,i don't mean to abandon that dear little pearl-handled one4 ,will you come with me now1 and we'll go and look for it8 ,right-o6 ,the ,grange is out of bounds1 but who cares8 ,certainly ,i don't6 ,mrs4 ,franklin's rules are ridiculous for a girl of my age4 ,surely ,i can go and fetch my penknife8 ,besides1 we needn't go by the road4 ,if we climb the fence in the orchard we can cut across the fields as the crow flies1 and get into the lane by the big gate of the ,grange4 ,i'm your girl6 ,let's toddle off at once4 ,if any one croaks ,i'm sure we can call the fields within bounds4 ,i'm not going to be bound by bounds4 ,mrs4 ,franklin is a bounder6 retorted ,katrine grandly4 ,nevertheless1 she did not make her exit over the orchard fence until she was sure no one was watching4 ,choosing a suitable moment1 the girls scaled the low bars1 then skirted round by the hedge along the field till they were out of sight of ,aireyholme4 ,by this short cut it was only a few minutes' walk to the ,grange4 ,the old house seemed more than ever like a story-book palace with an enchanted garden4 ,the lilacs were fading1 but the tangle of greenery had grown taller and wilder1 and even the very windows were invaded and half covered by long trails of bindweed and traveller's joy that stretched out quickly spreading shoots and clinging tendrils1 and threatened to bury everything in a mass of vegetation4 ,how absolutely still and quiet it is6 said ,katrine4 ,i don't suppose a soul ever comes near except ourselves4 ,it doesn't look as if a footstep had been across the grass for a long time4 ,why1 here's my penknife1 on the walk4 ,i must have dropped it out of my painting-bag4 ,i'm so glad ,i've found it4 ,it's well we came this afternoon4 ,it would have rusted if it had lain there much longer4 ,i wonder what the old house is like inside8 ,probably very dark and damp1 with the windows shaded and unopened4 ,it looks gloomy--as if people had died there4 ,it is sad to see it so neglected and overgrown4 ,one feels ,nature has been too exuberant1 she doesn't care about our little lives and tragedies1 it doesn't matter to her what has been suffered here4 ,she just pushes that all to one side and forgets1 and goes on making fresh shoots as if nothing had happened4 ,i think it's kind of her to try and throw a lovely green veil over the place4 ,it's like charity covering a multitude of sins4 ,she's doing her best in her own way to soften down the tragedy4 ,i'm going to lift her veil and take a peep inside1 and ,gwethyn pulled back a mass of succulent briony and peered through the dim glass4 ,can you see anything8 ,yes1 ,i can see a hall and long passage4 ,it looks interesting4 ,this window is not latched4 ,i believe ,i could push it up if you'd help me4 ,heave-o6 ,there1 it's actually open4 ,the girls found themselves peering into a small room1 which was apparently the vestibule of a hall4 ,the window was not placed very high1 so low indeed that ,gwethyn scrambled without much difficulty on to the sill4 ,i'm going in6 she declared4 ,it will be ever such fun to explore4 ,i always wondered what the inside was like4 ,she dropped quite easily on to the floor within1 and gave a hand to ,katrine1 who was not slow in following4 ,both felt it would be an adventure to investigate the interior of the old house4 ,they stood still for a moment1 listening1 but not a sound was to be heard1 so they ventured to go forward4 ,i believe we have the place absolutely and entirely to ourselves1 unless there are a few ghosts flitting about the passages6 ,they'd seem more suitable inhabitants than human beings6 proclaimed ,gwethyn4 ,several sitting-rooms led from the hall1 which by their decorations proclaimed their use4 ,the one with the rosewood fittings was undoubtedly the dining-room1 the larger one with the big bow window could not fail to be the drawing-room1 and the one to the back1 with the oak panelling1 must surely be a study or library4 ,the wall-papers were very faded and dilapidated1 and the paint dingy2 there was an air of shabbiness about everything1 the numerous damp-stains1 the cobwebs1 the odd heaps of straw and the thick dust helped to render it unattractive1 and the general impression was forlorn in the extreme4 ,i don't wonder nobody takes it1 said ,gwethyn4 ,i should say it will be to let for years and years4 ,why doesn't ,mr4 ,ledbury tidy it up8 ,perhaps he thinks it's no use spending the money unless he has a possible tenant4 ,even if he papered and painted it1 it would soon get into the same state if no one lived here4 ,he might have a caretaker4 ,yes1 ,i wonder he doesn't4 ,i expect it's so far away from the village that nobody would come without being very highly paid1 and he couldn't afford that when he's getting no rent4 ,how large the place seemed6 ,the girls peeped into empty room after empty room1 their footsteps echoing in that strange hollow fashion that is only noticed in deserted houses4 ,it gives me the shivers1 it's so wretched1 said ,gwethyn4 ,i certainly shouldn't like to live here4 ,i think we've been nearly all round4 ,shall we go downstairs again8 ,wait6 ,there's just this one passage that leads somewhere4 ,haven't you seen enough8 ,my curiosity is insatiable4 ,katrine hesitated4 ,one room was exactly like another4 ,it did not seem worth while to explore further4 ,she half turned in the direction of the stairs2 then noticing that the passage was panelled1 and thinking that the room at the end might therefore be older and quainter than the rest1 she changed her mind4 ,after all1 it was disappointing1 as bare and empty as the others1 with torn paper hanging in strips from the damp walls4 ,there's a fine view of the dovecot though1 said ,katrine4 ,i can see the carving on the gable beautifully from here4 ,she flung the window open wide4 ,the fresh wholesome outside air came rushing in4 ,the draught banged the door1 and a sound of something falling followed1 but the girls were too occupied to take any notice4 ,they were leaning out of the window trying to decipher the date on the worn piece of carving4 ,it looks like #afjj1 opined ,gwethyn4 ,more likely #afij4 ,the tail of the nine is cracked away4 ,it's older than the house at any rate4 ,i wish ,i had my sketch-book here1 and ,i'd have copied it4 ,have you a note-book in your pocket8 ,no2 and ,i shouldn't lend it to you if ,i had4 ,we must be going at once1 or we shall be late for prep4 ,katrine consulted her watch1 and turned to the door4 ,then she gave a cry of consternation4 ,it was impossible to open it4 ,the knob had been loose1 and when the door banged the whole handle had fallen out into the passage4 ,they were shut in as securely as if by bolt and bar4 ,here was a dilemma1 indeed6 ,they looked at one another in consternation4 ,what are we to do8 faltered ,gwethyn4 ,katrine was trying to wedge the handle of her penknife into the empty socket1 but the effort was useless4 ,it went in a little way1 but would not turn4 ,her attempt to slip back the catch with the blade was equally futile4 ,the unpleasant truth was hopelessly plain--they were prisoners in the empty house4 ,the prospect was appalling4 ,the ,grange was in such a secluded spot that nobody might come near for days4 ,no doubt they would soon be missed at ,aireyholme1 but would ,mrs4 ,franklin think of looking for them here8 ,they shouted and called out of the window1 but only the birds twittered in reply4 ,they were in the upper story1 a good height from the ground1 and much too far to jump4 ,the creepers were too frail to offer any adequate support4 ,they turned to the door again1 and tried to break through one of the panels1 but the wood was well-seasoned oak and resisted their kicks and blows4 ,were ever two girls in such a desperate situation8 ,the tears were raining down ,gwethyn's cheeks4 ,shall we have to stop here all night8 she sobbed4 ,i wish we'd never come near the wretched place6 ,we're trapped like rats in a cage6 declared ,katrine1 pacing distractedly up and down their prison4 ,she paused at the window4 ,gwethyn6 ,i do believe somebody is in the garden6 ,the blackbirds are making such a fuss6 ,perhaps it's a cat or a hawk that's frightening them4 ,perhaps4 ,but let us call in case it's a human being4 ,even a burglar would be welcome6 ,we're rather like burglars ourselves6 said ,gwethyn1 her sense of humour triumphing over her tears4 ,only there certainly isn't anything here to burgle4 ,the girls leaned from the window and shouted with all the power of their lungs4 ,then they waited and listened anxiously4 ,was that a footstep crunching on the gravel4 ,o jubilate6 somebody's coming6 gasped ,katrine4 ,let's shout again6 ,oh1 the angel6 ,it was ,mr4 ,freeman1 sketching paraphernalia in hand1 who stepped round the corner of the dovecot--a guardian angel in tweed knickers1 smoking a most unangelic briar pipe4 ,he looked about to see whence the noise proceeded1 and1 spying the girls1 waved his hand4 ,we're in an awful fix6 called ,katrine4 ,we're locked into this room4 ,will you please climb in through the vestibule window--it's open--and let us out8 ,all right6 ,i'll be up in half a jiff1 replied ,mr4 ,freeman1 laying his painting traps on the dovecot steps4 ,in a few minutes they could hear him tramping up the stairs4 ,he soon picked up the handle1 fitted it in its socket1 and opened the door4 ,he regarded the girls with an amused smile of accusation4 ,it strikes me you young ladies ought to be at school instead of exploring old houses on your own1 he ventured in reply to their overwhelming thanks4 ,we're going back now1 and a jolly scrape we shall get into if we're not quick about it1 said ,gwethyn4 ,the ,great ,panjandrum will jaw us no end4 ,is your teacher capable of scolding8 ,rather6 ,you should just hear her6 ,she doesn't look it4 ,oh1 you don't know her6 ,she's all right in public1 but she can be a ,tartar in private6 ,a shade passed over ,mr4 ,freeman's face4 ,he seemed disappointed4 ,oh1 ,i don't mean ,miss ,aubrey6 put in ,gwethyn quickly4 ,she's a darling4 ,it's ,mrs4 ,franklin ,i'm talking about4 ,she's an absolutely different kind of person4 ,well1 ,i'm glad to know somebody keeps you in order1 for you seem to need it1 laughed ,mr4 ,freeman4 ,have you heard from your father and mother again8 ,we had a letter on ,sunday4 ,they're getting on splendidly1 replied ,katrine4 ,gwethyn1 we must bolt6 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,unpleasant ,,truth ,,was ,,hopelessly ,,plain--,,they ,,were ,,prisoners ,,in ,,the ,,empty ,,house6 ,with renewed thanks and a hasty good-bye to their rescuer1 the girls made their exit1 and tore back over the fields to ,aireyholme4 ,they did not deserve any luck1 but they managed to arrive in the very nick of time1 and walked into their classrooms just as the preparation bell stopped ringing4 ,the teachers1 supposing them to be in the garden1 had not noticed their absence4 ,they had agreed to keep the adventure to themselves in case it should reach the ears of the monitresses1 so ,gwethyn heroically refrained from relating her thrilling experience to ,rose or ,susie4 ,she had learnt by this time not to trust their tongues too far4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,the ,tennis ,championship ,the girls at ,aireyholme did not go in for cricket1 but concentrated the whole of their summer energies upon tennis4 ,they practised constantly1 and prided themselves upon their play4 ,dorrie ,vernon was ,games secretary1 and calculated that she knew the exact capabilities of every girl in the school4 ,tournaments were the order of the term1 sometimes--with handicaps--between different forms1 sometimes ,school versus ,mistresses1 for ,miss ,spencer and ,miss ,andrews were good players2 and occasionally1 when ,mrs4 ,franklin entertained friends1 a match was arranged for ,visitors versus ,aireyholme4 ,there were few schools in the neighbourhood against whom they could try their skill1 but they had received an invitation to take part in a tournament at ,carford ,girls' ,college1 and with ,mrs4 ,franklin's sanction proposed to send two representatives4 ,the choice of these champions was a subject of the very deepest importance4 ,dorrie went about the matter in a thoroughly business-like manner4 ,she kept a tennis notebook1 and carefully entered every girl's score1 day by day1 balancing the totals weekly4 ,the results were discussed at the monitresses' meeting4 ,gladwin's play is fearfully off1 this term1 announced ,dorrie4 ,nan's a regular slacker1 ,tita is unequal--you never know whether she'll be brilliant or a dead failure4 ,coralie and ,ellaline keep fairly well up to the mark2 ,hilda has improved simply immensely2 our own record is satisfactory4 ,may ,i see the notebook8 ,who has scored highest altogether8 asked ,diana4 ,well--,katrine ,marsden1 by absolute points1 admitted ,dorrie1 rather unwillingly4 ,the three monitresses scanned the book1 and looked somewhat blank4 ,it was an unpalatable truth that the new-comer had beaten the record4 ,katrine's swift serves were baffling2 there was no doubt that she was an excellent player4 ,it puts us in rather an awkward position1 faltered ,dorrie1 wrinkling her brows4 ,not at all6 snapped ,viola4 ,katrine ,marsden's out of the running for a championship4 ,well1 ,i don't know---- ,but ,i do know6 ,she doesn't consider herself an ordinary pupil here1 only what she chooses to call a 'parlour boarder'4 ,therefore she certainly can't represent the school--that's flat6 ,she played for ,aireyholme against ,visitors1 though1 objected ,diana4 ,oh1 well6 ,that was different1 of course4 ,miss ,andrews played for ,aireyholme too1 but we couldn't choose her for a champion4 ,this was rather a convincing argument4 ,diana's face cleared4 ,she was always ready to follow ,viola's lead4 ,we don't want ,katrine1 if we can help it1 she agreed obediently4 ,and yet we want to be sporting1 vacillated ,dorrie1 who prided herself on strictest impartiality and fair dealing4 ,every committee has to have its rules4 ,the school ought to be represented by its pupils4 ,and that's the point4 ,is ,katrine a pupil1 or is she not8 ,katrine says 'no'4 ,but ,mrs4 ,franklin says decidedly 'yes'4 ,i think it's beyond argument1 frowned ,viola1 and1 after all1 ,i'm ,captain1 and final referee4 ,oh6 if you put it that way1 of course---- ,i do put it that way4 ,i consider it's only justice4 ,if ,katrine ,marsden won't acknowledge herself on the same level with everyone else1 she doesn't deserve to have our privileges4 ,it can't be all take and no give on her part4 ,there's no need for us to be so very tender about her feelings1 ,i'm sure4 ,not the slightest need1 echoed ,diana4 ,it won't do her any harm to be passed over--good for her1 in fact4 ,we may as well pose as philanthropists while we're about it1 twinkled ,viola1 suddenly seeing the humour of the situation4 ,the three girls laughed4 ,all the same1 you're only looking at the matter from one side1 contended ,dorrie4 ,we've got the credit of the school to think about4 ,the question is1 who's likely to score highest for ,aireyholme at the ,tournament8 ,we mayn't call ,katrine an ideal champion1 but we mustn't let ourselves be biased by private prejudice4 ,i hope ,i'm above such a low motive as that1 ,viola answered stiffly4 ,no one could have the interests of the school more thoroughly at heart than ,i4 ,for this very reason it seems to me folly to trust the championship to a girl who really hasn't much concern whether ,aireyholme wins or not4 ,oh1 surely she'd play up8 ,i don't know about that4 ,if she were in one of her dreamy moods1 perhaps she wouldn't4 ,better not risk it4 ,hadn't we better put the matter to the vote8 suggested ,diana4 ,by all means4 ,i propose that ,katrine ,marsden is not eligible for the championship4 ,viola's tone was decisive1 even slightly aggressive4 ,i make a counter-proposition1 to place her at least on the list of eligibles1 returned ,dorrie1 stolidly keeping her temper4 ,diana had the casting vote4 ,she promptly plumped for ,viola1 partly from real conviction1 and partly because she was chums with the ,captain4 ,so be it6 said ,dorrie1 shrugging her shoulders4 ,she could not agree with the decision1 but she did not take the matter much to heart4 ,you two will have to brace up1 and practise for all you're worth4 ,we mustn't let ,carford beat us4 ,when the result of the monitresses' meeting became known1 the school took it in various ways4 ,some girls sympathized with ,viola1 others hotly espoused ,katrine's cause4 ,the affair was very much discussed1 and there were many lively arguments over the justice of the pronouncement4 ,katrine herself accepted it callously4 ,i'm sure ,i don't want to be champion1 thanks6 she responded to her sympathizers4 ,it would be an awful bore to go and play ,carford4 ,i'd rather stop in the studio and paint4 ,in spite of her assumed indifference1 ,katrine was rather piqued4 ,she knew her play was good1 and that it was mainly jealousy on ,viola's part which caused her to be thus set aside4 ,although she had adopted a superior attitude1 ,katrine nevertheless rather liked to shine in the school4 ,she had played tennis in a dilettante fashion before1 just to amuse herself2 now1 in a spirit of opposition1 she began to train4 ,for once she would let these girls see what she was capable of4 ,there were only five days before the tournament2 she would devote them to tennis4 ,having arrived at this decision1 she temporarily threw art to the winds4 ,the studio knew her presence no more out of class hours3 the whole of her spare time was given up to the courts4 ,she had an immense advantage over the monitresses1 for they were studying hard for their matriculation1 and had very little recreation1 while she had a double portion of leisure4 ,her play1 good as it was before1 improved by leaps and bounds4 ,soon not a girl in the school could compete with her upon equal terms1 and win4 ,her handicaps were raised continually4 ,there was a growing feeling that it was both unwise and unfair to exclude her4 ,someone ought to speak to the monitresses about it1 said ,jill ,barton4 ,it would be precious little use1 returned ,rose ,randall4 ,viola is so pigheaded1 if once she says a thing1 she'll stick to it4 ,but is it fair that she should settle everything8 ,well1 she's ,captain1 and ,dorrie's ,games secretary2 they have the authority between them4 ,dorrie has been overruled by ,viola4 ,no doubt2 but ,i don't see what we can do1 except call a mass meeting1 and appeal4 ,um--that's rather a desperate measure4 ,i hate upsets in a school4 ,we ought all to pull together harmoniously if we can4 ,let us try and put the screw on privately1 but don't have open ructions4 ,viola is a decent sort4 ,we don't want to quarrel with her for ,katrine's sake4 ,most of the girls shared ,jill's opinion4 ,they might not agree with their ,captain's views1 but they liked her too well to proceed to extremities4 ,after all1 ,katrine was a new-comer1 and ,viola was the bulwark of ,aireyholme traditions4 ,they tried to manage the matter by finesse4 ,they understood their leader well enough to know that any alteration must be proposed by herself4 ,she was not fond of entertaining other people's suggestions4 ,so they forbore to revolt openly1 and confined themselves to desperate hints and innuendoes4 ,viola was perfectly well aware of what was going on1 and she ignored the hints4 ,the situation amounted to a duel between herself and ,katrine1 and she trusted to her influence as ,captain to come off conqueror4 ,it was impossible not to acknowledge the superiority of ,katrine's play1 and ,viola really stuck to her guns out of sheer obstinacy4 ,everybody wondered what was going to happen1 and whether the difficulty could be solved without a quarrel4 ,the time was painfully short4 ,it was now the very day before the tournament4 ,the question must be settled that evening4 ,the results of the scoring-notes were posted up by ,dorrie on the notice board3 ,katrine headed the list by an overwhelming majority2 ,viola followed2 ,dorrie was only a few points behind1 and ,diana and ,hilda1 bracketed equal1 came next4 ,if ,katrine were ruled out of competition1 then the championship must fall to ,viola and ,dorrie4 ,the strain waxed acute4 ,little groups of girls stood about in the hall and passages1 discussing the pros and cons4 ,it was evident that something must be done2 the ferment of feeling was almost at effervescing point4 ,at this crisis ,miss ,spencer issued from the head mistress's study4 ,she walked to the notice board1 pinned up a paper1 and marched away without a word4 ,everyone crowded round to read the notice4 ,it was brief1 but to the point1 and in the ,principal's own handwriting4 ,in view of the forthcoming tournament1 ,mrs4 ,franklin requests that the ,games ,committee choose as champions girls who are not entered for the matriculation4 ,no examination candidate will be allowed leave of absence to-morrow4 ,this was indeed a cutting of the ,gordian knot4 ,viola1 ,dorrie1 and ,diana were absolutely disqualified4 ,it was a totally unexpected denouement1 and for the moment they were utterly taken aback4 ,as befitted monitresses1 however1 they pulled themselves together1 and bore their disappointment with ,spartan heroism4 ,perhaps they realized the cleverness of ,mrs4 ,franklin's generalship4 ,it was certainly a safe way out of an awkward predicament4 ,viola was an intelligent girl1 and had the sense to climb down gracefully4 ,diana and ,dorrie and ,i are out of it1 she at once announced1 so ,i suggest ,katrine and ,hilda as champions4 ,there has been some little doubt as to whether ,katrine is eligible to represent the school1 but ,i beg to propose that any disqualifying clause should be set aside in this emergency1 and that she be requested to play for ,aireyholme to-morrow4 ,i'm sure she'll do us credit4 ,all in favour of this proposition please say ',aye'4 ,such a universal chorus of assent rose from the assembled girls that ,katrine1 who had been inclined to refuse the proffered honour1 was obliged to accede4 ,both she and ,viola had saved their dignity1 and in consequence each felt a more friendly disposition towards the other4 ,they discussed the coming tournament quite amicably2 and ,viola even offered to lend her racket1 which was superior to ,katrine's own4 ,hilda was all smiles4 ,with such a partner she hoped to do great things4 ,mrs4 ,franklin is a modern ,solomon6 whispered ,nan to ,gladwin4 ,katrine was secretly much gratified at being chosen champion after all1 though she was far too proud to show it4 ,her affected carelessness1 however1 deceived nobody4 ,she's as pleased as ,punch6 was the unanimous verdict of the school4 ,everybody sympathized1 for each one would have been only too delighted if the happy lot had been hers4 ,the two champions were the centres of congratulation4 ,the various points of their play were eagerly discussed2 they were the one topic of conversation4 ,in addition to the pair who were to take part in the tournament1 twelve girls had been invited to ,carford ,college as spectators4 ,those whose scores came next on the tennis list were chosen1 and ,gwethyn and ,rose ,randall were among the lucky number4 ,they were to be escorted by ,miss ,andrews1 whose athletic tendencies made her as keen as anybody on the event4 ,fourteen smiling girls stood ready on the following morning1 all in immaculate white silk blouses1 with their school ties and hats4 ,katrine and ,hilda wore rosettes of pink1 brown1 and green--the ,aireyholme colours--to distinguish them as champions1 and most of the others sported patriotic badges4 ,the school assembled on the drive to see them off1 and they departed amid a chorus of good wishes4 ,some of the juniors even began to shout hoorays1 but ,mrs4 ,franklin suppressed them4 ,it will be time enough to cheer if we win the tournament1 she reminded them4 ,remember that other schools are competing1 whose play may be better than ours4 ,which is a polite way of saying1 ',don't crow till you're out of the wood6' laughed ,dorrie to ,diana4 ,all the same1 ,i'd back ,katrine against anyone ,i know6 99 99 99 99 99 ,carford ,college was a big day-school1 situated about a mile out of the town4 ,the ,aireyholme contingent was received by the head mistress1 and at once handed on to stewards1 who took ,katrine and ,hilda to the champions' tent1 and the rest to the seats which had been reserved for them4 ,the ,college prided itself on its ,games activities2 its courts were in excellent condition1 and there was every facility for the comfort of spectators4 ,six other schools besides ,aireyholme had been invited to compete1 and bring twelve representatives each to witness the combat1 so that1 with the pupils of the ,college1 there was a crowd of more than two hundred to watch the trial of skill4 ,katrine and ,hilda1 inside the tent1 were having a good time4 ,they were regaled with lemonade1 and introduced to the other champions4 ,it was interesting to compare notes on sports and schools2 if any of the strangers were inclined to be shy1 the ice was soon broken1 and all were chatting like old friends by the time the tournament began4 ,the ,college ,games ,captain1 a particularly jolly girl1 made an admirable hostess1 and put all her guests at their ease2 she had herself been entertained in similar circumstances1 so she had experience to guide her4 ,as the train service from ,heathwell to ,carford was not very convenient1 the ,aireyholme party had come early2 two of the other schools were in like case1 and the rest turned up by degrees4 ,at last all the competitors had arrived1 and the drawing took place4 ,aireyholme was not in the first set1 rather to ,katrine's relief4 ,i hate to have to begin1 she remarked to ,hilda4 ,it's much more helpful if one can watch other people's play for a while4 ,the competitors who opened the tournament were fairly evenly matched4 ,oakfield ,house perhaps excelled in serving1 but ,summerlea possessed a champion who seemed able to take every ball1 in whatsoever awkward spot it alighted2 she was a short1 freckled1 ungainly girl 7,katrine had mentally noted her plainness when they met in the tent71 but her spread-eagle method of play was highly successful1 and her side scored heavily4 ,we shall have our work cut out for us if we're put against her1 grunted ,hilda4 ,oakfield didn't do badly either1 in the beginning1 but they couldn't stand against this ,doris ,what's-her-name6 ,pinecroft versus ,arden ,grange came next on the list1 resulting in a narrow victory for the former4 ,carford ,college had an exciting tussle with ,windleness4 ,everybody1 except of course the ,windleness girls1 wanted the ,college to win4 ,it was felt that it would be too bad if the hostesses of the occasion were out of the finals4 ,by almost superhuman effort ,carford managed to score1 but ,windleness was accorded full honours of war by the spectators4 ,at last it was the turn of ,katrine and ,hilda4 ,aireyholme had been drawn to play ,ashley ,hall1 a school1 so it was rumoured1 with a reputation4 ,i'm horribly nervous6 ,i know we'll never beat them6 whispered ,hilda1 with scarlet cheeks4 ,now don't work yourself up into a state6 ,for goodness' sake1 keep cool6 ,katrine besought her4 ,if you let yourself worry1 you'll play badly4 ,our salvation is to keep our heads4 ,if you get excited1 you're done for4 ,brace up1 can't you6 ,i'll do my best1 murmured ,hilda1 setting her teeth4 ,the ,aireyholme girls had sometimes been inclined to sneer at ,katrine's calm1 imperturbable composure1 but to-day it stood the school in good stead4 ,in tournaments the level-headed1 cool1 self-controlled competitor generally has an advantage over an excitable1 impulsive or nervous rival4 ,the ,ashley ,hall champions were splendid players1 but they were more brilliant than steady2 one or two little things put them out2 they lost their nerve and made a few bad strokes4 ,katrine1 on the contrary1 kept absolute self-possession2 she calculated balls to a nicety1 and it was chiefly owing to her all-round preparedness that the set was won4 ,she and ,hilda retired with sighs of relief4 ,the foe was worthy of their steel--or rather1 rackets1 said ,gwethyn to ,rose ,randall4 ,i'm glad ,i wasn't chosen champion2 ,i never can keep cool like ,kattie4 ,she's always the same--never the least excited1 while ,i'm gyrating all over the place like a lunatic6 ,there was now a midday interval for lunch1 and the crowd dispersed4 ,most of the ,college girls went home for their meal1 but the visitors from the other schools were entertained in the big hall with coffee1 plates of ham or tongue1 buns1 and fruit4 ,at half-past one the finals were to begin4 ,it was not desirable to waste too much time1 as several of the schools must catch certain return trains4 ,you played splendidly1 ,katrine1 and ,hilda backed you up no end6 declared the ,aireyholme girls1 anxious to congratulate their champions4 ,go on in that style1 and you'll do4 ,don't expect too much4 ,the ,college will probably win a love set when we play them1 returned ,katrine4 ,you'd better be bracing your nerves4 ,oh1 we're sporting enough to take our luck as it comes1 but we pin our faith to you this afternoon6 ,if the first sets had been exciting1 the finals were doubly so4 ,summerlea1 after a ,homeric contest1 vanquished ,pinecroft1 and was placed against ,aireyholme4 ,katrine had anticipated a tussle with ,doris ,kendrick1 their spread-eagle champion1 and she had calculated correctly4 ,doris's play was magnificent1 and ,aireyholme only won by the skin of its teeth4 ,we must tackle ,carford too1 whispered ,katrine to ,hilda4 ,don't give in now4 ,the excitement among the spectators was intense4 ,general sympathy was1 perhaps1 on the side of the ,college1 but everyone admired ,aireyholme's plucky play4 ,katrine is ,a#a6 commented ,rose4 ,just look at that stroke6 ,i never thought she'd take that ball6 ,forty-thirty4 ,i believe we'll do it yet4 ,well done1 ,hilda6 ,good old girl6 ,keep it up6 ,keep it up6 ,oh6 ,i say1 it's ours6 ,what a frolicsome joke6 ,the ,college girls were disappointed at the failure of their champions1 but they were magnanimous enough to start the cheer for ,aireyholme4 ,katrine and ,hilda were called up by the ,principal to receive their prizes--two pretty bangles--and congratulations poured in from all sides4 ,there was not time for much more than to express their thanks1 for ,miss ,andrews was consulting her watch1 and announcing that they must rush to the station if they wished to catch their train2 so with hasty good-byes to their hostesses they made their exit4 ,their arrival at ,aireyholme was a scene of triumph4 ,mrs4 ,franklin was immensely gratified at the good news1 and the girls cheered till they were hoarse4 ,we'll put it down in the school minutes under the heading of ',victories'1 purred ,dorrie4 ,i'd have given up the matric4 to be there4 ,anybody taken snapshots8 ,you1 ,rose8 ,good6 ,we'll develop them to-night1 and if they come out decently1 we'll paste them in the school album4 ,i never thought we should really beat ,carford ,college4 ,it breaks the record4 ,this is a ripping term for ,aireyholme6 ,kattie's scored in more senses than one to-day1 whispered ,gwethyn to her chum ,rose ,randall4 ,,chapter ,x ,an ,antique ,purchase ,as the summer came on1 bringing the climbing roses out on the cottages1 and filling the village gardens with a wealth of flowers1 ,katrine's artistic soul revelled more and more in the picturesque beauty of ,heathwell4 ,her sketching expeditions were an intense delight2 she was improving fast under ,miss ,aubrey's tuition1 and also picked up many hints from ,mr4 ,freeman1 who would always stop1 if he passed their easels1 and give her work the benefit of his criticism4 ,katrine often felt as if she were living in the past at ,heathwell4 ,not only were the cottages antique1 but the people also had an old-world atmosphere lingering among them4 ,many of the women wore sun-bonnets2 they baked their bread in brick ovens1 made rhubarb wine and cowslip beer1 cured their own bacon1 and pursued various homely little avocations which are fast going out of date in other parts of the country4 ,even the ,elementary-school children were not aggressively advanced2 some of them still bobbed curtsies1 and wore clean white pinafores to go to church on ,sundays4 ,miss ,aubrey was a great favourite in the village4 ,her painting brought her closely into touch with the people1 and she had a ready sympathy for them1 quite unmixed with patronage--a distinction which they recognized and appreciated4 ,the patriarch in the picturesque weather-stained coat would slowly bring out his reminiscences during the hours she sat sketching him in his garden2 the mothers would tell her their troubles2 and the children swarmed round her like bees4 ,it was an entirely new phase of life for ,katrine1 who had had no experience before of our sturdy ,english peasantry4 ,she saw the people at first through ,miss ,aubrey's spectacles2 then she learnt to like them on her own account1 and acquired quite a number of village friends--the blacksmith who smiled at her from his forge1 the crippled wife of the saddler1 who waved greetings from her seat at the window1 the fussy little spinster in charge of the post office1 the six ancient pensioners who generally sat sunning themselves on the bench outside the almshouses1 the cobbler who bobbed up his head and smiled as she passed his open doorway1 the widow who baked the brown bread and the muffins1 and the elderly dame at the crockery shop4 ,there were many quaint people in ,heathwell--so many that ,katrine often declared a list ought to be made of the village worthies and preserved in a local museum4 ,there was ,linton1 a white-haired1 bent old labourer1 who supplemented his parish relief by breaking stones on the roadside4 ,katrine first made friends with him over a stile4 ,it happened to be rather a high and difficult one1 and he was sitting on the top of it1 so she paused to allow him to descend4 ,come on1 missie1 come on6 he cried in encouraging tones4 ,though it do be a rare awkward stile for faymales4 ,i telled ,parson so1 when he a-put it up2 but says he to ,i1 ',faymales or no faymales1 they'll have to be getten over it6' ,linton was a character in his way1 a self-taught antiquarian1 a nature lover1 a dormant poet1 an incipient artist1 and something of a philosopher round it all4 ,who knows what strange dreams he may have dreamed in his youth1 of fame to be won and songs to be uttered8 ,but life's obligations had proved too heavy a burden1 and his was still a mute inglorious muse4 ,his delight in ,miss ,aubrey's sketches was almost pathetic2 he would toddle far out of his way to pass her easel1 and take a peep at the progress of some roadside scene or cottage garden4 ,he even volunteered1 one evening1 to find her a subject1 and to please him1 she and ,katrine allowed him to escort them to the summit of a mound near the river4 ,the place without doubt was an ancient grave1 for it was close to ,offa's dyke1 the great eighth-century barrier between ,saxon and ,celt1 and though from an artistic point of view it was not paintable1 the romance of its situation was palpable4 ,to ,miss ,aubrey and ,katrine the true subject was the white-haired1 rugged old fellow himself1 standing outlined against the glowing west1 as with outstretched hand he showed where the slain in the forgotten battle-field had been heaped1 and the earth piled high above them4 ,his voice rang as he tried to picture the far-off scene1 and there shone from his eyes just a gleam of the divine fire4 ,look around you6 he cried4 ,see where yon river's a-windin' down1 and yon hills a-stand back as they did a thousand years agone4 ,aye6 ,i often comes hither and thinks what a sight it will be for their uprising6 ,of all the quaint village folk perhaps the funniest was ,mrs4 ,stubbs1 who kept a little shop at the corner of the ,high ,street4 ,it was nominally a green-grocer's1 but it included so many other things as well1 that it might fairly claim to be a china store1 a second-hand bookseller's1 and a repository of antiquities4 ,though the counter was spread with cabbages and cauliflowers1 the floor was covered with crockery1 and the small parlour behind was overflowing with old furniture and all kinds of oddments picked up at auctions--eighteenth-century chairs1 bow-shaped mirrors1 ancient etchings and engravings1 ,wedgwood plates1 ,toby jugs1 horn lanterns1 tortoise-shell tea-caddies1 blunderbusses1 cases of butterflies1 clocks1 snuff-boxes1 medallions1 pewter dishes1 and a vast number of other articles4 ,mrs4 ,stubbs had a genius for a bargain4 ,she was a familiar figure at every sale in the district1 where she would bid successfully even against hook-nosed individuals of the ,hebrew persuasion1 and bear off her spoils in triumph4 ,she knew the marketable value of most of her antiques to the last halfpenny1 and carried on a successful little business by disposing of them to ,london dealers1 or to collectors in the neighbourhood1 often at double the prices she had originally paid for them4 ,for ,katrine this old curiosity shop held an absolute fascination4 ,she had been brought up to appreciate such things1 for her father's chief hobby was the collecting of antiques4 ,mr4 ,marsden revelled in carved oak furniture and ,worcester china1 and had communicated some of his enthusiasm to his daughter4 ,miss ,aubrey sympathized with ,katrine's tastes1 and would often allow her to pay a visit to the shop1 sometimes sending her there on small errands4 ,for the ostensible purpose of ordering peas for ,aireyholme1 ,katrine entered ,mrs4 ,stubbs's repository one memorable afternoon4 ,the good dame had attended a sale on the preceding day1 and her small establishment had received so many additions to its already large collection that it was almost overflowing into the street4 ,she was superintending the rearrangement of some of these articles by ,mr4 ,stubbs1 a blear-eyed individual who proved a sad thorn in the flesh to his capable better half1 and whose delinquencies formed a topic for much of her conversation4 ,he's no more use nor a babe to-day1 she confided indignantly1 with his legs that wobbly and his hand that shaky1 ,i daren't let him lay a finger on the china1 for fear he'd be dropping it4 ,he took half a crown out of the till when my back was turned1 and off he goes with it straight to the ',dragon'4 ,well1 he was a second-hand article when ,i married him1 and ,i might 'a known he weren't up to much1 if ,i'd had the experience ,i've got now4 ,mrs4 ,stubbs spoke with warmth1 evidently regarding her husband as a bad investment1 which she unfortunately had no opportunity of passing on at a profit to anybody else4 ,she hustled him out of the way at present1 and telling him to retire to the kitchen1 took ,katrine into the crowded little parlour to inspect her latest purchases4 ,the sale had been at the house of an old maiden lady who had possessed many antique belongings1 including carved ivories and miniatures1 as well as ,sheraton furniture4 ,these treasures were1 of course1 far beyond ,katrine's pocket1 though she regarded them with the covetous eye of a born collector4 ,i'm afraid ,i can't afford anything old1 she said at last4 ,i really came to order three pecks of peas for ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,i've a little cupboard here ,i'd like to show you1 urged ,mrs4 ,stubbs1 who always saw in ,katrine a possible customer4 ,it went dirt-cheap at the sale1 too1 so ,i could afford to let you have it for one pound five1 and clear a trifle of profit1 just enough to pay me for the trouble of fetching it4 ,what do you think of this1 now8 ,the cupboard in question was a small oak one1 about two feet in height1 with the date #agia carved on its door4 ,it was plainly intended for spices1 for inside it had nine tiny drawers1 surrounding a space in the centre4 ,it was such a quaint1 bijou1 attractive little piece that ,katrine promptly fell in love with it4 ,she knew it would absolutely delight her father1 and she determined to buy it1 and give it to him as a birthday present4 ,if you'd say a pound8 she ventured1 remembering that all old-furniture dealers affect an almost ,eastern habit of bargaining4 ,done6 declared ,mrs4 ,stubbs promptly4 ,i wouldn't quarrel with you over a few shillings1 and ,i'm so stocked up with things1 ,i'll be glad to make room4 ,this is as nice a bit of oak as you'd find in all ,heathwell4 ,i suppose it comes from ,miss ,jackson's family8 said ,katrine4 ,what are those two initials carved under the date8 ,they look like an ,r and an ,l4 ,maybe it might come from ,mrs4 ,jackson's mother's4 ,i didn't hear where she got it1 but she'd a lot of fine stuff in her house1 and thought a deal of it1 too4 ,i've seen her at auctions myself1 buying a few odd trifles she fancied4 ,poor dear lady6 it's sad to think she's dead and gone4 ,she'd be sore upset if she could see her things all scattered4 ,well1 missie1 ,i'll send ,stubbs round to ,aireyholme this evening with the cupboard2 but don't you give him the money for it1 however he may ask4 ,you call and pay me quiet-like1 some other time when he ain't about4 ,he's not fit to be trusted with a penny piece4 ,the delinquent ,stubbs staggered round in the course of the evening1 bearing the little oak cupboard in his arms2 but1 mindful of his failing1 ,katrine forbore even to give him a tip for himself4 ,i felt horribly mean1 she assured ,miss ,aubrey1 to whom she had confided the particulars of her purchase1 especially as he hinted so desperately4 ,you were right1 for he would have gone straight to the ',dragon' and spent it4 ,shall we carry your cupboard into the studio8 ,then we can all enjoy it while it's here4 ,oh1 please do6 ,isn't it a little beauty8 ,dad will be simply delighted with it4 ,i want to show it to ,mr4 ,freeman4 ,he's a very good judge of old oak1 and will know if it's genuine4 ,there can be no mistake about its genuineness4 ,i think you are very lucky to get hold of it1 replied ,miss ,aubrey1 calling one of the servants1 and telling her to take the cupboard upstairs4 ,a place was found for ,katrine's treasure on the top of an oak chest1 and it was admired to her heart's content4 ,by special invitation ,mr4 ,freeman came to inspect it1 and congratulated her on her possession4 ,it's a real antique--a very pretty little piece4 ,it will just suit ,mr4 ,marsden4 ,in the meantime it's an ornament in the studio here4 ,you'll find these small drawers most convenient to keep paints and bottles in4 ,katrine always rode her hobbies hard4 ,the acquisition of the oak spice-cupboard had started her in a new line4 ,she now posed as a collector of antiques4 ,she borrowed some books from ,mr4 ,freeman1 and after a brief study of their contents began to talk glibly of the ,sheraton and ,heppelwhite periods1 ,adams chimney-pieces1 and soft paste ,worcester china4 ,she aired her new-found knowledge so ceaselessly1 in season and out of season1 that the girls1 always ready to take offence at her superior attitude1 began to make fun of her4 ,they chuckled audibly when ,mrs4 ,franklin1 more mathematical than artistic1 made her calculate the cubic contents of her cupboard as a problem in class1 especially as her answer was wrong1 and she had to work the sum again4 ,all sorts of mock treasures were presented to her3 rusty nails1 old tins1 scraps of leather dug up from the garden1 or pieces of worm-eaten wood4 ,one morning the following poetic gem was left on her dressing-table4 ,the authoress was apparently too modest to sign her name1 so the lines were anonymous4 ,there was a collector of ,oak1 ,she knew more than ordin'ry folk6 ,on pastes soft or hard ,she'd hold forth by the yard1 ,and now she's become quite a joke6 ,fortunately ,katrine possessed a sense of humour that counterbalanced the strain of priggishness in her composition4 ,she laughed at the effusion and took the hint4 ,she was perhaps conscious that she had been putting on side rather too vigorously1 and that it would be judicious to climb down4 ,it's ,viola who wrote it1 ,i'm certain1 she confided to ,gwethyn4 ,look here6 ,i vote we play a joke on the school4 ,i've thought of something rather fine4 ,the two girls put their heads together1 and had a long confabulation4 ,the result they confided to nobody1 but during the afternoon they were observed to be hunting round the garden and orchard1 apparently in search of something4 ,next day1 ,katrine studied the time-table carefully1 and ascertained that the studio would be unoccupied by any classes from #c4cj to #d p4m4 ,making the excuse that she wished to touch up some sketches there1 she easily persuaded ,miss ,aubrey to excuse part of her outdoor work that afternoon1 and returning to ,aireyholme at half-past three1 she secured undisturbed possession of the room for half an hour4 ,she did not spend the time in painting1 though she was extremely busy4 ,when the girls trooped from their forms at four o'clock1 they found a large and prominent notice posted up in the passage4 ,,art ,,exhibition ,a choice and unique ,,collection ,,of ,,antiques ,,and ,,curios is now on view in the ,studio1 and forms an unparalleled opportunity of making acquaintance with the domestic arts and industries of the ,middle ,ages4 ,many objects of historic interest4 ,inspection ,invited4 ,admission ,free4 ,catalogues ,one ,penny4 ,proceeds given to the ,belgian ,relief ,fund4 ,everybody at once marched upstairs2 even ,dorrie and ,viola1 who were inclined to hold aloof1 fell victims to ,eve's instinct of curiosity1 and followed the rest1 excusing their weakness on the ground that as monitresses they felt obliged to be present at all school happenings1 and were thus only fulfilling their duty4 ,giggling a little1 the girls entered the studio4 ,the large table in the centre was spread with a variety of objects1 neatly numbered as in a museum4 ,by the door stood ,katrine with a pile of hand-printed catalogues1 and the ,belgian ,relief ,fund ,box from the dining-room chimney-piece4 ,as the exhibition seemed unintelligible without a catalogue1 the pennies rattled briskly into her box4 ,the exhibits were as diverse as they were extraordinary1 and according to the descriptions were both rare and historic4 ,no4 #a4 7,upper leather of a mouldy old boot47 ,portion of the footgear of ,simon de ,montfort1 worn before the ,battle of ,evesham1 #abfe4 ,no4 #b4 7,a broken crock of china47 ,valuable piece of soft paste ,worcester from the ,huntingdon ,collection4 ,no4 #c4 7,a rusty hairpin47 ,pin worn in the head-dress of ,queen ,elizabeth at the ,kenilworth ,pageant4 ,no4 #d4 7,a crooked nail47 ,nail from the gibbet of ,piers ,gaveston1 executed at ,blacklow ,hill1 ,warwick1 #acab4 ,no4 #e4 7,a dilapidated horseshoe47 ,shoe worn by the horse of ,charles ,i at the ,battle of ,nottingham1 #afdb4 ,no4 #f4 ,glove button of ,marie ,antoinette4 ,no4 #g4 ,needle used in embroidery by ,mary ,queen of ,scots4 ,no4 #h4 ,safety-pin employed in the toilet of ,edward ,,vi when an infant4 ,no4 #i4 ,portion of feeding-bottle of ,henry ,,viii4 ,no4 #aj4 ,do4 fragment of rattle4 ,no4 #aa4 7,a worm-eaten piece of wood47 ,relic of vessel of the ,spanish ,armada4 ,no4 #ab4 7,rusty cocoa tin47 ,remains of cup in which the ,barons drank success to ,magna ,charta1 #abae4 ,no4 #ac4 7,a small pebble47 ,stone worn as a penance in the shoe of ,henry ,,ii1 on a pilgrimage to the shrine of ,st4 ,thomas a ,becket4 ,no4 #ad4 7,a portion of wickerwork47 ,fragment of guillotine basket used in ,french ,revolution4 ,no4 #ae4 7,a rusty key47 ,original key of dungeon in ,berkeley ,castle where ,edward ,,ii was murdered4 ,no4 #af4 7,a shabby quill47 ,pen used to sign ,magna ,charta1 #abae4 ,the girls laughed immoderately to see the various objects which they had presented in mockery to ,katrine1 described as such priceless relics4 ,you haven't put in the soda-water bottle ,i gave you6 said ,coralie4 ,it's stamped with the maker's name1 though ,i thought of breaking it1 and preserving a portion as ',roman ,glass'1 replied ,katrine4 ,i'm going to write a book on collecting1 next4 ,i shall call it ',from ,nine to ,ninety1 ,reminiscences of the ,fads of my ,first and ,second ,childhoods1 by a ,centenarian'4 ,the introduction will contain ',early ,natural ,history ,instincts--,preservation of ,earth ,worms and ,dissection of ,flies at the ,age of ,two'4 ,it's to be published by subscription1 #gs4 #f;d4 per volume4 ,anybody who likes can give me the money now4 ,we'll wait till we see the proofs1 thanks6 tittered the girls4 ,i like ,simon de ,montfort's shoe best1 declared ,githa2 then drawing ,gwethyn aside1 she asked1 ,where did ,katrine get that little cupboard8 ,githa had been away from school for a few days1 on the sick list1 and had only returned that morning4 ,she had heard the girls teasing ,katrine about her oak treasure1 but had not seen it until now4 ,she examined it with much attention4 ,kattie bought it from ,mrs4 ,stubbs1 answered ,gwethyn4 ,i believe she got it at a sale--a ,miss ,jackson's things4 ,githa nodded4 ,i know4 ,she died last month4 ,it used to be ours4 ,the ,r and ,l are for ,richard ,ledbury4 ,it stood on a table in the library at the ,grange4 ,grandfather had promised it to me4 ,he often called it ',githa's cupboard'4 ,i suppose ,uncle ,wilfred put it in with the rest of the things at the sale1 and ,miss ,jackson must have bought it4 ,i always wondered what had become of it4 ,it's such a dear little cupboard4 ,oh6 ,i'm sorry if we've sneaked it away from you4 ,never mind4 ,it's not your fault2 ,i'd rather ,katrine had it than anyone else4 ,i'm glad to see it again1 and to know that somebody's got it who'll value it4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,waterloo ,day ,the girls at ,aireyholme were nothing if not patriotic4 ,they followed the course of national events with keenest interest4 ,in common with most other schools they had sent their quota of knitted garments to the troops1 and they kept collecting-boxes for both ,prince of ,wales and ,belgian ,relief ,funds4 ,these enterprises were good as far as they went1 but not nearly sufficient to satisfy their martial spirit4 ,we're not making any sacrifices1 declared ,viola ,webster impressively4 ,we don't realize the war enough4 ,we're letting our ,allies outstrip us4 ,if we were ,serbian or ,russian we should be doing far more4 ,what sort of things8 queried ,hilda ,smart4 ,hilda was practical to a fault1 though ,viola liked vaguely to generalize4 ,oh6 patriotic things1 you know4 7,viola was rather cornered when it came to matter-of-fact explanations47 ,tearing up our gymnastic costumes for lint1 and--and--helping to make bullets1 and all the rest of it4 ,i thought bullets were made by machinery at ordnance works8 ,and it would be rather silly to tear up our gym4 clothes4 ,they wouldn't make good lint1 either6 ,well1 if not exactly that1 we ought to be doing something4 ,we have drill1 and flag-signalling4 ,i'd have liked rifle practice4 ,i don't see why girls shouldn't shoot6 ,at my brothers' school they have a ,cadet ,corps4 ,mrs4 ,franklin would have a fit if she saw us handling rifles1 laughed ,coralie4 ,a ,girls' ,cadet ,corps sounds ,utopian1 but we'd never get the powers that be to allow it4 ,all the same1 interposed ,diana1 ,i think ,vi is right4 ,we're not doing as much as we might4 ,if we can't have a ,cadet ,corps1 let us start a ,girls' ,patriotic ,league4 ,good6 ,it would brace us all up4 ,we'll plan it out4 ,have you a scrap of paper and a pencil8 ,we'll call it ',the ,aireyholme ,patriotic ,league4 ,object--,to render the utmost possible service to our country in her hour of need4' ,let's make up a committee1 and fix some rules4 ,best call a general meeting of the whole school1 suggested ,dorrie ,vernon4 ,the kids will take to it far better if they have a hand in it from the beginning4 ,dorrie was special monitress for the ,fourth ,form1 and knew the mind of the juniors4 ,she was always ready to take their part1 and secure them their fair share in what was going on4 ,viola and ,diana were inclined to use their prerogative almost to domineering point1 but ,dorrie stood as representative of the rights of the bulk of the school4 ,after a short argument her counsel prevailed1 and a general meeting was announced4 ,the girls responded with enthusiasm4 ,everybody turned up1 and all were ready to join the new society4 ,discussions were invited1 and in the end the following rules were drafted3-- #a4 ,that this ,society be called ,the ,aireyholme ,girls' ,patriotic ,league4 #b4 ,that its object is to render service to our country and her allies4 #c4 ,that members pledge themselves to devote not less than half an hour a day to some patriotic duty1 either drilling1 signalling1 ,red ,cross work1 sewing1 or the making of articles to be sold for the benefit of our soldiers and sailors4 #d4 ,that members cultivate the qualities of courage1 self-reliance1 and patience4 #e4 ,that each member agree to sacrifice some small luxury1 and devote the money thus saved to the good of the cause4 #f4 ,that a particular effort be made to raise funds by giving an entertainment4 ,the idea of making some special self-denial for the good of their country rather appealed to the girls4 ,each promised something definite4 ,those who took sugar in their tea bound themselves to give it up1 and ask ,mrs4 ,franklin to place the money saved towards their fund2 others agreed to relinquish chocolates1 the buying of foreign stamps 7the present hobby amongst the juniors71 or the indulgence in various other little fads that involved the outlay of small sums4 ,further1 it was unanimously agreed that ,mrs4 ,franklin should be asked to give no prizes at the end of the term1 but devote the money to patriotic causes4 ,viola1 who loved dramatic scenes1 made all1 with uplifted hand1 take a solemn pledge to keep the rules2 she exhibited a specimen badge which she had designed--the initials ,a4 ,g4 ,p4 ,l4 worked in red1 on a piece of white ribbon--and urged each member to copy it as speedily as possible4 ,having thus discussed broad details1 she went on to particulars4 ,we must get up some kind of a bazaar or entertainment to make money1 she proposed4 ,who can give suggestions8 ,oh1 don't all speak at once1 please6 ,it's no use all jabbering together6 ,silence6 ,am ,i chairman or not8 ,anybody with a genuine and helpful idea kindly hold up her hand4 ,the rest keep quiet4 ,yes1 ,gwethyn ,marsden1 what have you to say8 ,stand up1 please6 ,i beg to suggest that #ahth ,june is the centenary of the ,battle of ,waterloo1 and that we ought to give our entertainment on that day4 ,a thrill passed round the room4 ,gwethyn sat down1 covered with glory4 ,everybody felt that her idea was most appropriate4 ,it would be glorious1 hesitated ,viola1 but how about the matric48 ,the exam4 begins on #adth ,june1 and lasts four days--#adth1 #aeth1 #afth1 #agth--why1 we should just be free for the #ahth6 ,of course it gives us a very short time to make arrangements1 and ,diana and ,dorrie and ,i shall be too busy to help with anything until our ordeal is over4 ,never mind1 the others must do the work4 ,waterloo ,day would be just prime6 declared ,dorrie1 hugely taken with the notion4 ,we'd write and get our home folks to send us things4 ,we can have stalls and sell fancy articles1 and give entertainments as well4 ,it will be ripping fun4 ,we haven't asked ,mother ,franklin yet1 objected ,diana4 ,oh1 she'll agree--don't you alarm yourself6 ,she's as keen on the soldiers and sailors as we are4 ,it's her saving virtue4 ,the mother of the ,gracchi won't refuse1 you bet6 ,the ,principal1 when approached on the subject1 gave a cordial assent1 but only on the understanding that the new undertaking should not interfere with the matriculation studies of the three monitresses4 ,they might help when their examination was over1 but not before4 ,she approved of the ,league and its objects1 promised to devote both sugar money and prize money to the funds1 and set apart ,waterloo ,day for a special entertainment to which the neighbourhood should be invited4 ,she moreover graciously consented to act as ,president of the society1 and accepted a badge in token of membership4 ,the ,a4 ,g4 ,p4 ,l4's set to work with red-hot enthusiasm4 ,scarcely more than a fortnight was at their disposal for preparations1 so it behoved them to waste no time4 ,urgent letters were dispatched home1 begging for suitable things to furnish the stalls1 and to provide costumes for the entertainment1 while all available recreation was spent in the fabrication of such articles as they could make at school4 ,an extra spur was given to their patriotic ardour by stirring news which ,mrs4 ,franklin1 with shining eyes1 announced one morning4 ,her son at the front had performed a splendid and heroic deed in guarding an outpost against almost overwhelming odds4 ,his brave action was recorded in the newspapers1 which also published his portrait and a brief account of his career4 ,he was practically sure to receive the ,victoria ,cross4 ,poor ,mrs4 ,franklin could not restrain her pride in her first-born1 though there was anxiety mixed with the triumph1 for he was lying wounded in a ,french hospital as the result of his gallantry4 ,she cut the account from the newspaper1 and pinned it on the school notice board for the girls to read1 and did not check them when they raised noisy cheers on behalf of the hero4 ,i wish we knew where ,hereward is6 sighed ,katrine to ,gwethyn4 ,it's fearfully tantalizing just to be told that his regiment is moved1 and not a hint allowed as to where it's going4 ,i'm sure he'll win a ,victoria ,cross too1 before the war is over4 ,wouldn't ,mumsie be proud8 ,she'd be ready to worship him1 agreed ,gwethyn4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,marsdens heard from their parents as frequently as circumstances allowed4 ,they looked forward immensely to mail days1 and devoured the long letters that arrived1 full of descriptions of the doings of the ,conference at ,sydney1 where ,professor ,marsden was winning laurels by his lectures on ,geology and ,antediluvian ,mammalia4 ,mumsie gave bright accounts also of her adventures in ,australian society1 and of various excursions to see the sights of the country4 ,she spoke warmly of the hospitality that had been accorded them1 and the agreeable impression they had formed of the colony4 ,the girls in return had plenty of school doings to relate4 ,katrine waxed enthusiastic over her sketching experiences1 and ,gwethyn described her chums1 and descanted on the fun enjoyed by her form4 ,both acknowledged that they were happy at ,aireyholme1 and that the term was passing very much faster and more pleasantly than they had anticipated4 ,it was1 of course1 impossible for the ,marsdens to ask their mother to send gifts for their ,patriotic ,bazaar2 the whole affair would be over before the letter could reach ,australia2 but they wrote to various aunts and cousins1 and pleaded their cause so well that they had quite a nice little collection of articles to offer as their contribution4 ,everybody at school was working1 as well as begging from friends and relations4 ,all kinds of dainty trifles were fabricated by willing fingers1 and the ,entertainment ,guild seemed to be practising incessantly4 ,miss ,aubrey was a great help in planning and arranging costumes1 and ,katrine even boldly tackled ,mr4 ,freeman1 and persuaded him to paint a scene background to be used for the tableaux4 ,a few of the village youngsters were requisitioned to take parts which needed child actors1 for none of the ,aireyholme girls were under twelve1 and even the youngest in the ,fourth had reached a leggy and lanky stage quite impossible for the infantine roles that were required4 ,there was no lack of volunteers from the ,council school2 the picturesque little ,gartleys were delighted to be chosen1 and such keen rivalry was shown among the other cherubs to secure the honour of helping in the entertainment1 that ,miss ,aubrey found it difficult not to include the whole of the ,infant ,standard4 ,invitations were sent to everybody in the neighbourhood who was likely to come2 a poster was nailed up outside the market hall1 and another by the church1 so that all the village might know what was happening4 ,they were designed by ,mr4 ,freeman and executed by ,katrine1 with a little assistance from ,nan and ,gladwin1 and very temptingly set forth the attractions of the ,bazaar4 ,it was a great scramble to get everything finished in so short a time1 and ,miss ,aubrey and the other mistresses bore the brunt of the burden of the arrangements4 ,thanks to their energy and clever management1 there were no hitches1 and the goods for sale and the entertainments were in equal readiness when the great day came4 ,on the ,monday1 ,tuesday1 ,wednesday1 and ,thursday1 ,viola1 ,diana1 and ,dorrie had attended the local centre at ,carford to take their matriculation examination4 ,their ordeal being over1 they were able with free minds to devote their energies to the ,league4 ,mrs4 ,franklin was not particularly fond of remitting classes1 but she had the wisdom to grant a whole holiday for the occasion4 ,perhaps she realized that it would be futile to attempt to set her pupils to work in the morning1 when so much was to happen in the afternoon4 ,i couldn't have tackled one single problem6 averred ,rose ,randall4 ,it would have been cruelty to animals to expect us to do maths4 ,besides1 we've got to set out our stalls1 and that's no end of a business4 ,it'll take hours4 ,i'm glad we're ,french--,i think our costumes are much the prettiest4 ,the stalls were to represent various nations2 they were lavishly decorated with flags1 and upon them were displayed goods representative of the countries of the ,allies4 ,the ,sixth had chosen ,the ,british ,empire1 and had an assortment of all kinds of articles of a patriotic description4 ,photos of ,lord ,kitchener1 ,general ,french1 and ,admiral ,jellicoe were of course largely to the fore1 and as memorials of the ,waterloo centenary1 portraits of ,wellington and of ,napoleon also figured on the stalls1 with picture post cards of the famous battle-field4 ,it was astonishing how many purposes the ,union ,jack was made to serve4 ,its familiar red1 white1 and blue stripes were reproduced on pin-cushions1 ,bradshaw covers1 nightdress cases1 blotters1 work-bags1 handkerchief sachets1 and toilet tidies4 ,the shamrock also was a favourite design1 and the ,red ,dragon of ,wales and the ,scotch ,thistle had been attempted4 ,coralie's aunt had sent a few ,indian contributions1 bought from the ,eastern ,department at the ,stores1 and ,ellaline ,dickens had managed to procure a number of post cards of ,egypt1 to help to represent the ,empire4 ,perhaps the most striking feature of the stall was an exhibit which was not for sale4 ,colonel ,harvey1 an elderly gentleman who lived within a few miles of ,heathwell1 had lent some swords and bullets taken from the ,battle of ,waterloo1 where his great-grandfather had commanded a regiment4 ,i am afraid the girls giggled a little as they arranged them on the stall1 for it reminded them of ,katrine's mock exhibition4 ,these1 however1 were genuine and certified antiques1 of whose authenticity there could be no possibility of doubt4 ,the stallholders were dressed to represent various typical members of the ,empire4 ,britannia1 with helmet and trident1 stood for ,england1 and was impersonated by ,diana ,bennett4 ,gladwin ,riley made a sweet ,irish colleen1 ,tita ,gray wore the ,scotch plaid1 and ,nan ,bethell the tall ,welsh hat4 ,viola ,webster was a ,hindu ,zenana princess1 and ,coralie ,nelson a ,canadian squaw4 ,the ,french stall run by the ,fifth was an equal success4 ,the girls had chosen to wear the picturesque ,breton costume1 and looked charming in their velvet bodices1 white sleeves1 and quaint caps4 ,it had been most difficult to provide articles that were specially ,french1 so they had fallen back mainly on refreshments1 and sold numerous dainty cakes and sweetmeats1 and cups of cafe au lait4 ,yvonne and ,melanie de ,broeck1 the two little ,belgian refugees who were being educated at ,aireyholme1 were naturally much in request on this occasion1 and chattered ,french to the guests very winningly4 ,but perhaps the prettiest of all was the ,fourth ,form stall1 which was intended to depict a scene in ,old ,japan4 ,coloured lanterns were hung up1 and branches of fir and clumps of lovely iris were carefully arranged in artistic ,japanese fashion4 ,a number of cheap and tasteful articles had been procured from the ,stores--tiny cabinets1 cups and saucers1 teapots1 vases1 lacquered goods1 paper kites1 native dolls1 and queer little books1 all of which found a ready sale4 ,six brunette members of the form were attired in ,geisha costumes1 and made quite creditable little ,oriental ladies1 with their dark tresses twisted into smooth knots1 and their eyebrows painted to give them the required slant4 ,they sold fruit and flowers in addition to their other wares1 and waxed so persuasive that their stall began to be cleared the earliest of the three1 rather to the envy of ,france and the ,british ,empire1 who had not expected the juniors to do so well4 ,in addition to providing a stall1 each form gave a special entertainment1 for which a separate admission was charged4 ,the ,sixth made great capital with patriotic songs3 ,drake's ,drum1 ,your ,king and ,country ,want ,you1 ,the ,motherland's a-,calling1 and ,o ,england1 ,happy ,england6 were received with much applause1 and all the audience joined in the chorus to ,tipperary4 ,a very pretty picture accompanied the song ,in a ,child's ,small ,hand4 ,wee ,ruth and ,rose ,gartley1 dressed in the ,greenaway costumes they had worn on ,may ,day1 and looking sublimely cherubic1 stood holding out their fat little fingers while ,ellaline sang3 ,in a child's small hand lies the fate of our land1 ,it is hers to mar or save1 ,for a sweet child1 sure1 grows a woman pure1 ,to make men good and brave4 ,we ,english ne'er shall kiss the rod1 ,come our foes on land or sea2 ,if our children be true to themselves and to ,god1 ,oh1 great shall our ,england be6 ,special emphasis was laid1 in the entertainment1 on the fact that it was ,waterloo ,day4 ,hilda ,smart1 in a white dress of the fashion of #ahae1 recited ,byron's famous lines3 ,there was a sound of revelry by night2 and ,nan ,bethell gave ,napoleon at ,st4 ,helena1 and ,nelson's ,motto4 ,some pretty ,english1 ,scotch1 ,irish1 and ,welsh folk dances were highly appreciated1 together with national ballads4 ,but the piece de resistance of the ,sixth was the ,pageant of ,empire at the end4 ,britannia as the central figure grasped the ,royal ,standard1 and was surrounded by representatives of the ,colonies1 holding native products in their hands4 ,canada bore a sheaf of corn1 ,australia offered fruit1 ,india showed silks and sandalwood1 ,south ,africa a bunch of ostrich feathers4 ,various emblematical characters added to the effect1 and little ,hugh ,gartley as ,the ,midshipmite evoked special applause4 ,the ,fifth ,form was not to be outdone by the ,sixth4 ,their ,french and ,belgian entertainment had been prepared with equal care4 ,they commenced appropriately by singing ,the ,marseillaise4 ,yvonne and ,melanie were placed in prominent positions in the front1 holding the ,belgian flag1 and followed with ,la ,brabanconne in ,english1 as a duet4 ,it was rather an affecting performance1 as the two little refugees sang in their pretty foreign accent3 ,o'erpast the years of gloom and slavery1 ,now banished by ,heav'n's decree4 ,belgium upraises by her bravery ,her name1 her rights1 and banner free4 ,loyal voices proclaim far and loudly3 ,we still are unconquered in fight4 ,on our banner see emblazon'd proudly3 ',for ,king1 for ,liberty1 and ,right6' ,some spirited ,breton peasant dances followed1 and ,jill ,barton and ,ivy ,parkins recited a short piece entitled ,two ,little ,sabots1 founded on an actual incident1 and describing how an ,english officer1 arriving on ,christmas ,eve at a half-shelled ,belgian farm1 still tenanted by its peasant proprietors1 found the wooden shoes of the children placed hopefully on the hearth1 and acted ,santa ,claus by filling them with the biscuits1 raisins1 and chocolate that he had in his pockets4 ,beatrix ,bates1 the champion reciter of the form1 gave an ,english version of ,chantons1 ,belges1 chantons6 ,mr4 ,harper1 the music master from ,carford1 who had very kindly come to help with the entertainment1 accompanied her by playing a piano setting of ,elgar's famous ,carillon1 based upon the poem4 ,the chiming of bells and the rolling of drums were a fitting prelude and interlude to the inspiring words4 ,beatrix rose to the occasion2 her cheeks flamed and her eyes were flashing as she declaimed3 ,sing1 ,belgians1 sing6 ,although our wounds may bleed1 although our voices break1 ,louder than the storm1 louder than the guns1 ,sing of the pride of our defeats ',neath this bright autumn sun2 ,and sing of the joy of honour1 ,when cowardice might be so sweet6 ,the ,fourth ,form entertainment was of a different type4 ,a ,japanese festival was represented1 and most pretty it proved to be4 ,a number of tiny village children were dressed as ,japanese dolls1 and posed as in a toy shop2 but to the great delight of the audience1 the dolls suddenly came to life1 stood up1 and played a ,japanese game very charmingly4 ,tit-willow and other appropriate songs were sung1 and a patriotic touch was given to the affair by the inclusion of some ,russian peasant dances and the ,russian ,national ,anthem3 ,lord ,god1 protect the ,tsar6 ,grant him ,thy grace3 ,in war1 in peace1 ,o1 hide not ,thou ,thy face6 ,blessings his reign attend1 ,foes be scattered far1 ,may ,god bless the ,tsar1 ,god save the ,tsar6 ,the afternoon was a huge success4 ,the neighbouring gentry and the villagers came in full force1 and sixpences literally poured in4 ,the articles for sale were all inexpensive1 and the stalls were almost cleared4 ,we've made twenty-four pounds1 three and twopence6 chuckled ,viola1 when ,mrs4 ,franklin and the monitresses had counted the proceeds4 ,we'd better decide to divide it between the ,prince of ,wales's ,fund and the ,belgian ,relief ,fund4 ,i never expected we should do so well at a little school affair in a country place like this4 ,we shan't forget ,waterloo ,day in a hurry4 ,i think we may consider the ,a4 ,g4 ,p4 ,l4 has scored no end6 ,,chapter ,,xii ,katrine's ,ambition ,katrine undoubtedly had a very decided vocation for art4 ,she was full of enthusiasm1 and ready for any amount of hard work in connection with this1 her favourite study4 ,moreover1 she was ambitious4 ,in secret she cherished a very precious dream4 ,she did not dare to confide it to anybody1 not even to ,gwethyn1 but she thought about it constantly in private4 ,her scheme was no other than to get a picture into some public exhibition4 ,the ,royal ,academy1 she realized1 was beyond her2 also it was at present open1 so that there could be no chance of competing for it until ,march in the following year4 ,when you are seventeen1 eight months seem an eternity2 it was impossible to wait so long before trying to place her work in the public gaze4 ,she knew that autumn exhibitions were held in some of the large provincial cities2 ,mr4 ,freeman was at present busy with pictures destined for these galleries1 and ,miss ,aubrey also was a member of several art societies which had held local shows4 ,katrine's idea was to try and paint a really good sketch1 then to have it framed1 and entreat ,mr4 ,freeman to allow it to be dispatched with his pictures when he sent them to the ,liverpool exhibition4 ,of course it might not get in--the ,hanging ,committee would very possibly reject it--but there was always the chance of its acceptance1 and surely there could be no harm in trying her luck4 ,to have a picture in a public exhibition would place her entirely above the level of schoolgirl1 and raise her to the delightful rank of artist4 ,in imagination she saw her picture already hung--not skied1 but in an excellent position on the line--perhaps even with a red star in one corner 7that summit of artists' hopes67 to mark it as sold4 ,how delightful to go to the gallery and see it for herself6 ,how she would revel in the catalogue in which her name would be printed as an exhibitor6 ,she would certainly turn up her hair for the occasion4 ,it would be ridiculous to wear it in a plait4 ,but before these golden visions had any chance of realization she must produce her masterpiece4 ,she did not think ,mr4 ,freeman would countenance submitting any of her present sketches to a ,hanging ,committee4 ,his criticisms of them1 though kindly1 had not spared their faults4 ,a really good subject was half the battle of a picture in her estimation1 so she turned over many ideas in her mind4 ,one day she had an inspiration4 ,miss ,aubrey had engaged as a model an old village woman1 who came three days in the week to sit in the studio4 ,she was a picturesque figure in lilac cotton dress1 white apron1 and sun-bonnet1 and ,miss ,aubrey posed her with ,katrine's own cupboard as an accessory4 ,katrine's notion was to complete the picture by the addition of a child holding outstretched hands1 as if to ask ,granny ,blundell for something from the cupboard4 ,little ,hugh ,gartley was the very one6 ,his flaxen curls would look lovely against a background of old oak4 ,moreover1 he was the school mascot4 ,twice before1 his portraits had secured luck to their fortunate painters4 ,why not a third time8 ,in anticipation her name was already in the catalogue4 ,she thought of several appropriate titles3 ,please1 ,granny6 ,grandmother's ,cupboard2 ,i want some6 and ,i'm a ,good ,boy6 but could not decide which she liked the best4 ,she easily persuaded ,miss ,aubrey to allow her to have ,hugh as a model1 and the little fellow came for a short time every day after his school-hours to stand for his portrait4 ,katrine took an immense amount of pains over her sketch4 ,it was decidedly the best she had done1 and ,miss ,aubrey commended it4 ,the thing it chiefly wants is a really suitable background1 said ,katrine4 ,i ought to paint a cottage interior with a little window and a flowerpot on the sill4 ,may ,i take my sketch to the ,gartleys' cottage1 and finish it there8 ,certainly1 if you like4 ,i can't go with you1 for there wouldn't be room for two easels1 but you will be all right there alone4 ,gwethyn laughed when ,katrine announced her intention4 ,i don't envy you painting in the midst of a close circle of ,gartleys1 she said4 ,never mind1 ,i shall have to stand it4 ,one must pay the price for one's efforts4 ,perhaps the mother will keep them in order4 ,put on your oldest skirt1 then1 for they'll smear sticky fingers over it6 ',we are seven' is a nice sentiment in a poem1 but one prefers a lesser number in a cottage1 especially when the family is so addicted to treacle4 ,i call you a martyr to the cause of art4 ,i like the dilapidated1 tumble-down1 picturesque exteriors1 but ,i draw the line at sitting inside some of them4 ,that's where your enthusiasm falls short of mine6 ,yes1 ,i should want the ,gartley residence spring-cleaned first4 ,but tastes differ--you can always overlook every inconvenience for the sake of the picturesque2 so go1 and my blessing go with you6 ,don't rag6 murmured ,katrine4 ,it's not so bad as all that4 ,when ,katrine arrived at the cottage1 and proffered her request to ,mrs4 ,gartley to be allowed to make a sketch of the kitchen1 she thought just a shade of doubt passed over the care-worn face1 and that the assent1 though ready enough1 was not quite so cordial as she had expected4 ,she saw the explanation of the woman's hesitation at once when she entered4 ,seated by the fireside1 with his boots on the fender and a clay pipe in his mouth1 was a hang-dog-looking individual whom she had no difficulty in guessing to be ,bob ,gartley1 though she had never chanced to come across him before4 ,you won't mind he8 said ,mrs4 ,gartley apologetically1 under her breath4 ,he's biding at home to-day1 instead of at his work4 ,it's a poor place for you to sit1 but ,i'll try and keep the children off you4 ,hugh8 ,oh yes1 he'll stand if you want him6 ,go and fetch him1 ,mary6 ,get away1 ,tom6 ,would you like a chair1 miss8 ,i've brought my camp-stool1 thank you1 replied ,katrine1 unpacking her sketching materials1 and placing her canvas upon her easel4 ,you see1 ,i've already put ,hugh into the picture4 ,i only want to finish him off1 and paint a background4 ,why1 there he be to the life6 ,and if it isn't old ,mrs4 ,blundell1 too6 ,oh1 isn't it beautiful8 ,might ,bob take a look8 ,bob1 come and see how nice the lady's painted our ,hugh6 ,bob heaved himself up rather diffidently1 and approached the easel4 ,he was apparently modest at receiving visitors4 ,he stared hard at the canvas1 bending down1 indeed1 to examine it more closely4 ,katrine thought he was mentally appraising the portrait of his child1 but when at last he spoke1 his criticism was totally unexpected4 ,where did you get yon cupboard8 he grunted4 ,this little spice cupboard in the picture8 ,why1 ,i bought it from ,mrs4 ,stubbs4 ,you bought it8 ,off ,mrs4 ,stubbs8 ,how did she come to get hold of it1 now8 ,i believe she got it at a sale4 ,and you've drawed it just as it is8 ,you haven't made up they letters and figures and things as is on it8 ,oh1 no6 ,i copied them exactly4 ,and where is it now8 ,i have it safely at ,aireyholme1 in the studio4 ,what do you want to know for1 ,bob8 interposed his wife4 ,never you mind1 it's no business of yours1 nor of anyone else's1 so far as ,i can see4 ,hugh8 ,oh1 yes6 ,it's like enough to the brat1 ,i dare say4 ,they're a noisy set1 all on 'em6 ,and without vouchsafing any further information1 the head of the ,gartley family stumped out of the cottage in the direction of the ,dragon4 ,well1 it's the first time as ever ,i've known ,bob take so much notice of anything6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,gartley4 ,what's he got to do with cupboards8 ,perhaps he's fond of old furniture1 ventured ,katrine4 ,him6 ,he's fond of his pipe and his beer1 and that's all6 ,i'd like to know what be up8 ,why1 ,i suppose anyone can feel a little natural curiosity when he looks at a picture1 said ,katrine1 who saw nothing unusual in the incident4 ,natural curiosity1 indeed6 ,he's a deep 'un1 is ,bob6 ,well1 perhaps he'll tell you at tea-time4 ,not he2 he don't tell me naught4 ,but there6 what's the use of talking of him8 ,a young lady like you won't want to be thinking of such as he4 ,probably ,mrs4 ,gartley was right4 ,katrine went on with her sketch1 and forgot all about ,bob and his temporary burst of inquisitiveness4 ,she painted the little window and the pots of geraniums1 and a part of the doorway with a peep of the village street showing through the open door4 ,it was exactly the background she wanted for her figures4 ,the whole made quite a charming picture4 ,at half-past four she packed up her traps1 and went back to school rather reluctantly1 for she had spent a pleasant afternoon4 ,it was not until after she had gone that ,mr4 ,bob ,gartley sauntered back from the ,dragon to join his family circle4 ,by occupation he was a farm labourer1 a blacksmith's assistant1 a bricklayer1 or a carter as the case might be1 but he never stuck long to any job4 ,owing to the exertions of his wife and his numerous olive branches at haymaking1 bean-picking1 or in the harvest field1 he generally managed to get through the summer without any undue expenditure of energy on his own part--a state of affairs which he regarded as highly satisfactory4 ,let the kids work6 he remarked on this particular evening1 after pocketing the sixpence which ,katrine had left for ,hugh4 ,it's good for 'em4 ,develops their muscles1 and teaches 'em punctuality and perseverance and order1 and all they things the ,parish ,magazine says ought to be instilled into 'em while they are young4 ,i was set at it soon enough myself1 and clouted on the head if ,i didn't keep it up4 ,i don't hold with these ,council schools1 keeping the children shut up for the best part of the day1 when they ought to be a bit of use in the fields at a job of weeding or such-like4 ,i suppose they must get their schooling4 ,mary is learning to recite ,shakespeare1 and she can do vulgar fractions1 so she tells me1 replied ,mrs4 ,gartley1 who was proud of her first-born's talents4 ,shakespeare and vulgar fractions is all very well1 but they don't earn nothing4 ,didn't ,i take first prize myself for reciting when ,i were a boy at school8 ,and much good it's done me6 ,no2 if ,i'd a voice in public affairs ,i'd drop education1 and spend the money on giving allotments to decent working men with big families--men who'd train their kids not to be idle1 and keep 'em at it4 ,what's the use of sendin' a child to school for a matter of nine years1 to cram it with head-learnin' when it's goin' to get its livin' with its hands afterwards8 ,let it stop at home1 says ,i1 and copy its father4 ,a nice example you'd make1 for sure6 sneered ,mrs4 ,gartley4 ,you only want 'em at home so that you can have some 'un to send errands4 ,why1 if there isn't ,mrs4 ,stubbs at the door6 ,whatever's she come for1 ,i'd like to know8 ,though she might not feel undue delight at the advent of a visitor1 ,mrs4 ,gartley nevertheless hastened to admit the old-furniture vendor1 and usher her into the kitchen4 ,most poor people are very much afraid of giving one another offence1 and suffer greatly from the intrusions of their neighbours4 ,it is impossible to say ,not at home when they must answer the door in person1 and the plea of being busy would be regarded as a mere excuse4 ,bob ,gartley did not rise to greet the new-comer1 neither did he remove his pipe from his mouth2 but ,mrs4 ,stubbs was unaccustomed to be treated with ceremony1 so she did not notice such trifling omissions4 ,i came to see if you could spare half a day to help me with some cleaning1 ,jane1 she announced4 ,i've had a fresh lot of furniture in last week1 and it do be in such a state1 ,i must tidy it up a bit before ,i let folks look at it4 ,there's a gentleman wrote to me from ,london about it--a dealer in a big way1 he is--and he may come down any day1 so ,i want it to have a rub with the polishing-cloth4 ,you do a nice little bit of business in your line1 ,mrs4 ,stubbs1 remarked ,bob ,gartley4 ,and a pretty quick turnover1 too1 from what ,i hear4 ,well1 things be just tolerable1 like4 ,sometimes ,i make a profit1 and sometimes ,i don't1 admitted ,mrs4 ,stubbs cautiously4 ,it takes knowing1 does the buying of old furniture2 but ,i may say ,i've got a reputation for spotting what's genuine4 ,all the best people about comes to me for things4 ,i've had ,mrs4 ,everard1 and ,captain and ,mrs4 ,gordon1 and ,mr4 ,jefferson1 and even ,sir ,victor ,white his own self6 ,bless me6 ,can't they afford to buy their furniture new8 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,gartley in much astonishment4 ,that shows you don't know anything about it1 ,jane4 ,gentlefolks has a great liking for old things1 and will pay almost any fancy price for 'em4 ,no1 ,i don't mean plain deal tables and chairs like these1 intercepting ,bob's hopeful glance at his property2 but oak dressers and chests and cupboards that have come down through a generation or two4 ,well1 it's a queer taste4 ,if ,i was a lady ,i'd go into ,carford and get a velvet sofa1 and a sideboard with glass at the back of it4 ,ah6 that's not the present fashion1 said ,mrs4 ,stubbs1 shaking her head wisely4 ,you'd be amazed how everybody has took a craze for what's old4 ,the young ladies at ,aireyholme is always in and out of my shop1 lookin' at bits of china1 and samplers1 and such-like4 ,didn't one of 'em buy a cupboard of you a while ago8 inquired ,bob4 ,so she did2 but ,i don't know how you come to hear of it4 ,i seed it in a picture she were making of our ,hugh4 ,and she put in ,granny ,blundell as well1 added ,mrs4 ,gartley4 ,i remember the cupboard well enough1 said ,mrs4 ,stubbs4 ,i was sorry afterwards ,i'd let her have it1 for ,i could have sold it for ten shillings more to someone who came in the very next day4 ,where did you get it8 ,at ,miss ,jackson's sale4 ,had it always been at ,the ,elms8 ,no2 ,i remember ,miss ,jackson buying it about three years ago1 when there was that sale at the ,grange4 ,i'd a fancy for it myself then1 but she outbid me2 so ,i was quite pleased to get hold of it in the end4 ,i reckon it belonged to old ,mr4 ,ledbury1 then8 ,no doubt1 though ,i can't say where he got it from4 ,what do you want to know for8 ,i don't want to know4 ,it's no business of mine4 99 99 99 99 99 ,katrine's sketch was greatly admired by the girls at ,aireyholme1 but ,miss ,aubrey1 in her capacity of art teacher1 criticized it sternly4 ,to rectify the faults thus pointed out1 ,katrine toiled very hard1 and completely repainted the two figures4 ,granny ,blundell was a patient model1 and 7as the sittings resulted in shillings7 expressed her willingness to pose any time for the school4 ,several of the other girls sketched her at the life class1 though none of their efforts were as successful as ,katrine's4 ,noticing the old woman's interest in the progress of the portrait1 ,gwethyn made her a present of the oil-sketch she had just finished4 ,her gift was hardly as well received as she had anticipated4 ,the old body scarcely said ',thank you6' complained ,gwethyn1 much aggrieved4 ,perhaps she doesn't think it flatters her2 it's one of the worst daubs you've ever perpetrated6 laughed ,katrine4 ,oh6 ,i should hardly imagine her an art critic6 ,besides1 she's so very plain1 in any case4 ,no picture in the world could make her look handsome4 ,though ,mrs4 ,blundell might not be the belle of the village1 a little vanity lingered nevertheless under her striped sun-bonnet4 ,katrine happened to visit her cottage alone next day1 and found her in a state of much discontent over her likeness4 ,she plainly did not consider that it did her justice4 ,it makes me look all speckly6 she remonstrated4 ,and ,i'm not speckly1 am ,i1 now8 ,i was thinkin' of askin' her to touch it up a bit4 ,i wouldn't mind payin' her a trifle1 if she don't want to charge too much for her time4 ,i was that set on sendin' it to my gran'darter at ,chiplow1 but ,i'd be 'shamed to let her think ,i'd a face like a dough dumplin' stuck wi' currants4 ,fearing it would be impossible to idealize the portrait to the sitter's satisfaction1 ,katrine solved the problem by taking a snapshot of her standing in the doorway with her favourite cat in her arms2 and though the photo did not flatter her1 it presented her with a smooth countenance1 at any rate4 ,it apparently satisfied her craving for immortalization1 and preserved a remembrance also of her pet1 who unfortunately met with an untimely fate soon afterwards4 ,mrs4 ,blundell had lamented the disappearance of ,pussy for some days2 then one afternoon when ,katrine arrived with her easel1 she discovered the good dame in the garden1 busily engaged in washing her pans and kettles4 ,why1 what a turn-out6 exclaimed ,katrine4 ,is it a spring cleaning or a removal8 ,oh1 miss1 returned ,mrs4 ,blundell1 ,i've just found the pore cat drownded in the well6 ,i drew her up myself in the bucket1 and it gave ,i such a shock ,i went all of a tremble4 ,she must have been there the whole time1 and somehow now ,i can't quite fancy the water4 ,i should think not6 exclaimed ,katrine1 horrified at the idea4 ,i sometimes wish ,i lived in a town1 with water laid on1 and gas-lamps in the streets1 continued ,mrs4 ,blundell4 ,i can't think what you see to paint in these old cottages4 ,the creepers lovely8 ,why1 they helps to make 'em damp6 ,they don't be fit for decent folks to live in4 ,they did ought all to be pulled down4 ,poor ,mrs4 ,blundell evidently held strong views on the deficiencies of her residence1 to judge from a conversation which ,miss ,aubrey and ,katrine heard wafted through the door as they sat sketching in her cabbage-patch4 ,the minister appeared to be paying her a visit1 and was trying to count up her blessings for her--a form of consolation which1 from her tart replies1 she keenly resented4 ,you've got a roof over your head1 he urged4 ,the rain comes through in the corner1 she sniffed4 ,it don't be right as ,i should be in this place1 and some in such comfort6 ,folks as live soft here didn't ought to go to ,heaven6 ,but wealthy people can live good lives as well as poor ones1 objected ,mr4 ,chadwick1 the minister4 ,easy enough for 'em1 when they've all they want2 but it don't be fair6 ,they be gettin' it at both ends1 she answered bitterly4 ,doth ,job serve ,god for nought8 quoted ,miss ,aubrey1 as they listened to the querulous old voice4 ,i quite grasp her point1 poor old soul6 ,i dare say it's much easier to watch the wicked flourishing like a green bay tree1 and anticipate his retribution1 than to see the righteous in such prosperity1 and think he's skimming the cream off both worlds4 ,i admire ,mr4 ,chadwick's patience4 ,i think he'll talk her into a better frame of mind before he leaves her4 ,whatever her notions might be on the subject of future rewards or punishments1 ,granny ,blundell made a picturesque model1 and that for the present was ,katrine's main concern4 ,she finished both figures and background1 then left the canvas to dry1 so that she might add some last high lights4 ,would it ever hang in an exhibition8 she asked herself4 ,she had not yet dared to broach the subject to ,mr4 ,freeman4 ,she looked at it often1 hopefully and wistfully4 ,at present it was the focus round which her dreams centred1 a matter of the utmost importance4 ,the rest of the girls would have laughed at her had they realized her ambition in connection with it2 yet1 after all--so strangely do things happen in this life--the painting of this very amateur sketch was a link in a chain of circumstances1 and if it did not bring artistic success to herself1 was to lead to wider issues in other respects than she could imagine4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,githa's ,secret ,with ,tony as their bond of union1 the amenities between ,gwethyn and ,githa still continued4 ,they could hardly be called chums1 for they were never on absolutely familiar terms such as existed between ,gwethyn and ,rose ,randall4 ,the poor little ,toadstool's natural disposition was too reserved for the frank intimacy common in most schoolgirl friendships4 ,she rarely gave any confidences1 and though she evidently admired ,gwethyn immensely1 it was with a funny1 dumb sort of attachment that did not express itself in words4 ,on the subject of her home and her own private affairs she was generally guarded to a degree4 ,once only did she break the ice4 ,in a most unwonted and unusual burst of confidence she admitted to ,gwethyn that she was unhappy about her brother4 ,cedric is at such a horrid school4 ,the head master is a brute6 ,none of the boys like him1 and he's taken a particular spite against ,ceddie1 and is absolutely hateful to him4 ,you see1 it's mainly a day-school1 and there are only fourteen boarders4 ,cedric is the eldest of them by three years1 and he thinks it's very hard he should have to keep exactly the same rules as the little chaps4 ,but ,mr4 ,hawkins won't make any difference4 ,he treats ,ceddie as if he were at a preparatory school4 ,he's a blustering1 bullying1 domineering sort of man1 very fond of using the cane4 ,well1 you know a boy of sixteen won't stand all that6 ,especially ,cedric4 ,he's frightfully proud and independent1 and he answers old ,hawkins back1 and then there are squalls4 ,sometimes it gets to such a pass that ,cedric says he'll run away4 ,i really believe he will some day6 ,it's past all bearing4 ,can't your uncle interfere8 asked ,gwethyn4 ,it's no use telling ,uncle ,wilfred4 ,he always says he's not going to listen to complaints1 and that ,cedric is quite as well treated at school as he used to be1 and that boys are a soft set nowadays1 and haven't the grit their fathers used to have1 and that he doesn't think anything of a lad who comes whining home after a few strokes with a cane1 which are probably only too well deserved4 ,that stops ,cedric's mouth4 ,he can't bear ,uncle to think him a coward4 ,all the same1 he's often in a very tight fix1 and ,i wish we could see some way out of it4 ,i suppose your ,uncle ,wilfred is his guardian8 ,yes1 unfortunately4 ,there's nobody else4 ,we have another uncle1 but he went out to ,america years and years ago1 and we've heard nothing of him4 ,i wish ,i knew his address4 ,perhaps ,cedric might have gone to him in ,america4 ,uncle ,wilfred is decent enough to me1 because ,i'm a girl1 but he says it's wholesome for boys to be knocked about a little4 ,sometimes ,aunt ,julia says ,mr4 ,hawkins is too strict1 but ,uncle always stands up for him and takes his side against ,cedric4 ,aunt is quite kind2 she sends ,ceddie cakes and hampers of jam every now and then1 but those don't make up for ,mr4 ,hawkins being such a beast4 ,he and ,cedric just hate each other4 ,gwethyn was deeply interested1 but could suggest no remedy4 ,there seemed1 indeed1 no way out of such a difficult situation4 ,her warm sympathy1 however1 quite touched ,githa4 ,i never thought you'd care about my affairs1 she faltered4 ,care6 ,you silly child6 ,of course ,i care1 protested ,gwethyn4 ,i'm as sorry about it as ,i can be6 ,why didn't you tell me before8 ,it never struck me to tell you4 ,uncle ,wilfred and ,aunt ,julia don't care to hear things1 so ,i thought other people might be the same4 ,ceddie and ,i are nothing to you4 ,yes1 you are1 and please to remember that in future4 ,i don't want to be inquisitive and pry into your private concerns1 but ,i'm very interested in anything you may wish me to know4 ,we can't be friends when you're such an absolute oyster6 ,the poor ,toadstool sighed and smiled at the same time4 ,she had been too afraid of snubs to open her heart readily4 ,her present outpouring1 though in a sense a relief1 was also an effort4 ,perhaps she thought she had revealed too much of her home atmosphere1 for she closed up again1 and for days ,gwethyn could get nothing at all out of her4 ,fortunately ,gwethyn had the tact to leave her alone and make no attempt to force her confidence4 ,she realized that such an odd1 prickly little character must be treated with discretion1 and that the sympathy which she was burning to offer was--in certain moods--as likely to offend as to please her peculiar friend4 ,for the last three days ,githa had been more than usually what the girls called toadish4 ,she would speak to nobody1 or if baited into words1 her retorts were of a stinging quality1 not encouraging to further conversation4 ,she was late for school one morning1 and went off in a great hurry in the afternoon4 ,in class she seemed preoccupied1 and was several times reprimanded by ,miss ,andrews for not attending to the lessons4 ,she took the reproofs rather sulkily4 ,her form-mates had many wrangles with her about quite trivial matters4 ,you always were a cross little toad1 but your temper's got worse than ever6 declared the outraged ,novie ,bates1 after an unprovoked push from ,githa in the classroom4 ,you shouldn't stand in my way then6 ,i wanted to get to my desk6 retorted the ,toadstool snappily1 opening the lid about two inches to slip in a book4 ,you're very surreptitious about your precious desk1 bantered ,lena ,dawson1 for the mere sake of teasing4 ,what have you got inside it8 ,for once the pale little face was fiery4 ,if you dare to touch my desk6 stamped ,githa1 in a perfect fury4 ,lena had never intended to touch it1 but thus challenged1 she thought it rather fun to--as she expressed it--make ,githa let off squibs4 ,hi-cockalorum1 what a to-do6 she exclaimed4 ,i'm janitor this week1 my child1 so ,i've a right to look into anybody's desk if ,i like1 and report its condition4 ,it's my solemn duty to examine yours now1 and see if it reaches the standard of neatness required--ahem6--in this very select scholastic establishment4 ,naturally you don't wish to risk the loss of an order mark1 but duty is duty1 my hearty6 ,you blithering idiot6 flared ,githa1 holding down the lid of her desk1 and pushing ,lena away with her elbow4 ,now that's equivalent to assaulting the police6 ,i must trouble you to show me the inside of this4 ,will someone please help me8 ,novie ,bates and ,jess ,howard1 giggling their hardest1 came to ,lena's aid4 ,the three easily pulled ,githa aside and flung open the desk4 ,within were several paper bags1 into which ,lena1 on a plea of ex officio1 insisted on peeping4 ,hello6 ,what have we got here8 ,bread-and-butter6 ,scraps of meat and potatoes6 ,cake6 ,by the ,muses1 you're having a good old feast6 ,do you come and refresh during recreation8 ,githa's flush of colour had faded4 ,her cheeks were drab again as the fungus to which ,gwethyn had originally compared them4 ,her dark eyes were inscrutable4 ,it's no business of yours if ,i do1 she parried4 ,oh1 certainly not6 ,munch away as hard as you please1 if you like4 ,it doesn't affect us4 ,we'd willingly spread honey on the bread-and-butter if it would sweeten your temper4 ,there1 ,lena1 let her alone6 pleaded ,jess1 who thought the teasing had gone far enough4 ,if you weren't so touchy1 ,githa1 nobody'd trouble to bother about you4 ,it's your own fault if you get ragged6 ,don't be absurd2 we're not going to run away with your precious parcels4 ,you needn't stand guarding them like an old hen cackling over its eggs4 ,go and have a picnic with them in the garden6 jeered ,lena4 ,tell ,mother ,franklin she doesn't give you enough at dinner-time1 and you have to bring extra supplies to school4 ,she'd not refuse you a second helping if you asked4 ,some people have big appetites4 ,it's a silly secret to make such a fuss about4 ,i call it greedy6 scoffed ,novie4 ,on that very same afternoon1 between four and five o'clock1 ,katrine and ,gwethyn were walking together in the orchard4 ,the two often liked to have a private chat2 though ,gwethyn chummed with ,rose ,randall1 ,katrine had not made any special friendship among the ,sixth1 and mostly counted upon her sister for company4 ,they had kept their adventure at the ,grange to themselves1 and they talked of it now as they sauntered between the apple-trees4 ,it's a quaint old house1 said ,katrine4 ,we didn't half examine it when we were there4 ,i should like to look again at that panelling in the library1 and take a rough pencil sketch of it4 ,i believe it's just what ,i want for one of my pictures4 ,shall we scoot and go across the fields8 ,yes1 by all means1 if you'll guarantee we'll not get locked up6 ,mr4 ,freeman mightn't be handy a second time4 ,oh1 we'll be very careful1 and inspect all the door-knobs before we venture into the rooms6 ,come along2 it will be rather sport6 ,needless to say1 ,gwethyn acquiesced4 ,the mere fun of dodging the school authorities and paying a second surreptitious visit to the old ,grange appealed to her2 she did not care very much about the artistic merits of the panels or wish to sketch them4 ,so again the girls climbed the fence and manoeuvred across the fields under cover of the hedges4 ,it looks as if a bicycle had been here lately1 said ,katrine1 examining some tracks on the gravel as she opened the gate4 ,perhaps we shan't have the place to ourselves to-day4 ,keep a look-out1 then4 ,we can soon scoot if necessary4 ,observing due caution1 they entered the house by the same window as on a former occasion4 ,very softly they stole down the passage past the dining-room4 ,the library door stood ajar1 and ,katrine pushed it open4 ,she stopped with an exclamation of surprise4 ,on some upturned boxes at the far end of the room sat ,githa and a boy1 who was eating something hastily out of a paper bag4 ,at the sight of strangers he jumped up with a wild1 hunted look on his face1 and unlatching the ,french window1 disappeared into the garden in the space of a few seconds4 ,githa had also sprung to her feet4 ,katrine6 ,gwethyn6 ,are you alone1 or is ,miss ,aubrey or anyone with you8 she faltered4 ,all serene6 ,we're quite by ourselves6 ,githa ran promptly to the window4 ,right-o6 she called4 ,come back1 ,ceddie6 ,the boy did not reply1 and after waiting a little1 ,githa turned again to her friends4 ,you've plumped upon my secret1 so ,i may as well tell you4 ,i know you won't give me away8 ,we'd be burnt at the stake first6 protested ,gwethyn4 ,well1 ,i dare say you guess that was my brother4 ,poor old ,ceddie6 ,he's been in fearful trouble1 and he's run away from school4 ,he always said he would1 and now he's done it at last4 ,i told you ,mr4 ,hawkins was a beast4 ,he caught ,ceddie smoking a cigarette1 and said he meant to make an example of him4 ,he was just white with passion4 ,he hauled ,ceddie into the big classroom1 and made the janitor hold him over a chair1 and then thrashed him simply brutally1 before all the school4 ,he gave him seventeen strokes4 ,ceddie didn't care so much about the pain--he bore it like a ,stoic2 but it was such an indignity to be caned like that--a tall fellow of sixteen1 before all those little boys6 ,he took the first opportunity and bolted that very evening4 ,he says he'd rather die than go back to school4 ,i'll try and get him to come in and speak to you4 ,githa ran into the garden and apparently used her powers of persuasion successfully1 for after a short time she came back accompanied by her brother1 whom she introduced to her friends4 ,cedric was rather a nice-looking lad1 painfully shy1 however1 and much oppressed by the awkwardness of the situation4 ,he did not seem disposed to talk to the visitors1 and stood with his hands in his pockets looking out of the window1 and whistling softly4 ,as their presence only seemed to embarrass him1 ,katrine and ,gwethyn had the tact to go away4 ,githa walked with them down the passage4 ,he's been here three days1 she confided4 ,he knew there'd be a frightful hue-and-cry after him1 so he's lying low until it's over4 ,of course we daren't let ,uncle know where he is4 ,there's ever such a hullabaloo going on about it all at home1 but ,i look absolutely stolid and don't breathe a word4 ,i come every day and bring him food1 and he sleeps on some straw in the attic4 ,he'd rather do that than be sent back to old ,hawkins's tender mercies4 ,does your uncle know how he was thrashed8 ,i'm not sure4 ,probably ,mr4 ,hawkins only told his own side of the story4 ,i daren't ask anything4 ,i'm so afraid of letting out the secret4 ,but he can't stay here for ever6 ,no1 he's just waiting until things blow over2 then he'll do a bolt at night1 and walk to ,settlefield and try and enlist4 ,he's wild to join the army4 ,but he's too young6 gasped ,katrine4 ,he's very tall for his age1 and of course he'd pretend he was eighteen4 ,katrine was aghast at such a plan4 ,it seemed pre-doomed to failure4 ,cedric might be tall1 but his boyish figure and youthful face would proclaim to any recruiting sergeant that he was below the age for enlistment4 ,she stated her opinion emphatically1 and urged ,githa to persuade him to give up so foolish a notion4 ,oh dear6 ,whatever are we to do then8 sighed the worried little ,toadstool4 ,we'd both counted on his getting into the army4 ,i'm at my wits' end4 ,i suppose he'll have to tramp to ,liverpool1 and get on a ship as a cabin-boy or a stoker1 and work his passage to ,america4 ,perhaps he'll find ,uncle ,frank there4 ,i'm afraid that would be worse still1 said ,katrine gently4 ,couldn't you trust your ,uncle ,wilfred8 ,perhaps if he really heard ,cedric's side of the case1 he would take him away from this school1 and see about fitting him for what he's to be in the future4 ,after all1 he's his guardian4 ,and a very harsh one6 ,no1 ,i daren't tell ,uncle ,wilfred4 ,ceddie must try to get to ,america4 ,other boys have run away and made their own fortunes4 ,but how many have done the opposite8 urged ,katrine4 ,don't let him throw away his life like this6 ,have you no friend you could ask to help him8 ,githa shook her head forlornly4 ,nobody cares to bother about us4 ,i wish ,father and ,mother were in ,england6 said ,gwethyn4 ,oh1 how ,i wish they were6 exclaimed ,githa1 with a flash of hope on her face that faded as suddenly as it arose4 ,but what's the use of wishing1 when we know they're in ,australia8 ,the suggestion had given ,katrine an idea1 however4 ,would you trust your secret to ,mr4 ,freeman8 she asked4 ,he's one of the kindest men ,i know1 and perhaps he'd be able to think of some way out of the matter4 ,i needn't tell him that ,cedric is hiding at the ,grange 7as ,githa hesitated72 ,i'd simply state the facts of the case1 and ask for his advice4 ,oh6 ,dare we trust him8 ,he wouldn't let ,mr4 ,hawkins get hold of ,ceddie8 ,i promise he wouldn't4 ,having wrung a somewhat unwilling consent1 ,katrine hurried away before ,githa had time to change her mind4 ,in defiance of all school rules she and ,gwethyn went straight to the village1 and called at ,mr4 ,freeman's lodgings4 ,they found their friend painting in his studio1 and1 having first pledged him to strictest secrecy1 poured out their story4 ,whew6 ,poor little chap6 he exclaimed4 ,he seems to have got himself into a precious mess6 ,sleeping on straw1 did you say8 ,and living on scraps his sister brings him8 ,no1 no6 ,he mustn't think of running off to ,america4 ,so ,mr4 ,ledbury is his uncle8 ,the solicitor at ,carford8 ,well1 as it happens1 he's doing some legal business for me at present1 so ,i fancy ,i might open negotiations with him1 very diplomatically1 of course4 ,don't be afraid6 ,i'll stand the boy's friend4 ,it's high time they were thinking what to make of him4 ,leave it in my hands1 and ,i'll see if ,i can't talk the uncle round4 ,oh1 thanks so much6 exclaimed the girls4 ,you don't know what a relief it is to hand the matter over to you4 ,now we must scoot1 or we shall get into trouble at school ourselves4 ,on this occasion1 ,katrine and ,gwethyn went straight to ,mrs4 ,franklin's study1 and reported themselves for having broken bounds4 ,the ,principal glared at them1 entered the offence in her private ledger1 and harangued them on its enormity2 but as they had made voluntary confession1 she gave them no special punishment4 ,on the whole1 they considered they had got off rather more easily than they had expected4 ,i can't bear to think of that poor laddie sleeping all alone in that dismal old house1 said ,katrine1 as the sisters went to bed that night4 ,it gives me the creeps even to imagine it4 ,he looked a jolly boy4 ,he and ,githa seem to have hard luck4 ,it was too bad to leave them utterly to their uncle's charity4 ,the grandfather ought to have provided for them properly1 agreed ,gwethyn4 ,people should make just wills before they die4 99 99 99 99 99 ,githa came to school the next morning with dark rings round her eyes4 ,she admitted having lain awake most of the night1 worrying about her brother4 ,if ,mr4 ,freeman can't help us1 ,ceddie means to start to-night for ,liverpool1 she whispered to ,gwethyn during the interval4 ,the three girls spent an anxious day4 ,they wondered continually if their friend were working on their behalf1 and with what success4 ,at about half-past three1 ,mr4 ,freeman called at the school1 and asked ,mrs4 ,franklin's permission to speak to ,katrine4 ,he had good news to report4 ,he had seen ,mr4 ,ledbury and had spoken to him about ,cedric1 without betraying the boy's whereabouts1 which indeed he did not himself know4 ,he found that ,mr4 ,ledbury exhibited the utmost relief at hearing tidings of the runaway4 ,he said he had been making inquiries1 and discovered1 through information given him by one of the under masters1 that the school was not what he had thought it to be1 and that the punishment given to his nephew had been excessive and brutal in the extreme4 ,he was sorry that he had ever placed the boy in ,mr4 ,hawkins's charge1 and should at once remove him4 ,he sent a message to ,cedric1 telling him to return home1 and that all would be forgiven4 ,he seemed anxious to do his best for his nephew1 and to give him a good start in life4 ,i was able to make a proposition1 added ,mr4 ,freeman1 which opens a way for the boy's immediate future4 ,my brother is in the ,admiralty ,department1 and ,i am almost sure that ,i can persuade him to give ,cedric a nomination for the navy4 ,they want lads of his age at present1 and ,i should think the life would just suit the young chap4 ,so let his sister tell him to go home4 ,i don't suppose his uncle will exactly kill the fatted calf for him1 but he won't be thrashed or sent back to school4 ,i'll guarantee that4 ,githa's eyes shone with gratitude when ,katrine told her the result of ,mr4 ,freeman's kind offices as peacemaker4 ,oh6 ,i am so relieved--so thankful6 ,ceddie would love to get into the navy6 ,it would be far nicer than enlisting as a private4 ,how proud ,i should be of him in his uniform6 ,i'll fly now on my bike to the ,grange1 and get ,ceddie to come straight home with me4 ,i believe ,aunt ,julia will be glad4 ,oh1 how ripping to have ,cedric at home again6 ,you and ,gwethyn are just the biggest trumps on earth6 ,as ,mr4 ,freeman had prognosticated1 the runaway was not received with any great outward demonstration of joy by his uncle and aunt1 though both were secretly much relieved at his reappearance4 ,matters took an unexpected turn1 however1 for the poor lad had caught cold by sleeping on damp straw in the empty house1 and was confined to bed with a sharp attack of rheumatism4 ,his illness brought out all the kindness in his aunt's nature4 ,she had always had rather a soft corner for him1 though she had not been willing to admit it1 and had generally persuaded herself that the two children were a burden4 ,she nursed him well now1 and was so good to him during his convalescence that ,githa's manner thawed1 and the girl was more at ease with her aunt than she had ever been before--a wonderfully pleasant and unusual state of affairs4 ,mr4 ,freeman's representations at the ,admiralty had the desired effect4 ,cedric received his nomination1 and in due course1 when the doctor would pronounce him fit1 was to go up for his examination4 ,he was wild with enthusiasm4 ,if ,i can only get quickly into the fighting line1 he declared1 won't ,i just enjoy myself6 ,get well first1 commanded ,githa1 whose sisterly pride seemed to think her brother destined to become at least an admiral4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,a ,midnight ,alarm ,mr4 ,bob ,gartley had not the best of reputations in ,heathwell4 ,he had more than once been convicted on a charge of poaching1 and had served time in ,carford jail4 ,of late his aversion to work had become so marked that his presence in the bosom of his family seemed a doubtful benefit to his wife and his olive branches4 ,the numerous young ,gartleys learnt rapidly to scuttle out of reach of the parental fist1 and spent a great portion of their time sitting upon curb-stones or playing under hedgerows1 oblivious of damp or dirt1 while poor ,mrs4 ,gartley1 who received the brunt of her spouse's ill-humour1 covered up her bruises and put the best face she could on the matter towards the world4 ,her labours had to provide for the household2 her better half's uncertain and occasional earnings being liable to be forestalled at the ,dragon4 ,why they gives him credit passes me6 she confided to ,mrs4 ,stubbs1 who1 having gone through similar experiences1 was loud in her condolence4 ,it be a speculation on ,stephen ,peters's part1 replied the worthy vendor of antiques4 ,he knows he can get it in kind1 if not in cash1 and he be fond of a pheasant for his ,sunday's dinner4 ,but ,bob had best be careful1 for the keepers are on the watch more than ever1 and if he is taken again so soon1 he'll get an extra hard sentence4 ,i'm sure ,i've warned him till ,i'm hoarse1 but it seems no use4 ,he never listens to ,i4 99 99 99 99 99 ,one ,sunday morning1 the obdurate ,bob ,gartley might have been found sitting by the fireside in his own kitchen4 ,he was attired in his shirt-sleeves1 and had not yet had the temerity to attempt either washing or shaving1 but he consoled himself for these deficiencies by puffing away at his pipe1 and taking an occasional glance into a saucepan whence issued a savoury odour strongly suggestive of hare1 or some other unlawful delicacy4 ,the seven little ,gartleys1 having found their father in a very unsabbatical frame of mind1 had wisely removed themselves from his vicinity1 and were at present scrambling about in the road1 awaiting with impatience the arrival of the dinner-hour1 coming to the door occasionally to indulge in anticipatory sniffs1 but being promptly scared away by a warning growl from the arm-chair4 ,keep they brats out of my sight6 roared ,mr4 ,gartley fiercely1 turning to his wife1 who was making a slight endeavour to tidy up the cottage4 ,why can't you pack 'em off to ,church and ,sunday ,school8 ,i were always sent regular when ,i were a boy4 ,much good it's done for you6 retorted ,mrs4 ,gartley scornfully4 ,not but what ,i'd send the children if they'd any decent clothes to their backs4 ,i'd be 'shamed to let 'em go1 though1 in the same rags they wears week in and week out1 and their toes through the ends of their boots6 ,it don't be fair as we poor folks should have to take the leavin's of everything1 remarked ,mr4 ,gartley1 waxing sententious4 ,why shouldn't my children be dressed as well as ,captain ,gordon's8 ,because you can't buy 'em the clothes1 ,i suppose4 ,what's the use of askin' such questions8 ,i'd like to see 'em in white dresses and tweed suits1 continued ,mr4 ,gartley1 who might have been a model father as far as aspirations were concerned2 a-settin' off proper and regular to ,church of a ,sunday4 ,precious likely1 when all you've got goes at the ',dragon'4 ,it's a shame as some should be rich and some poor4 ,there were a man come round last election time1 and said as how everything ought to be divided up equal1 share and share alike1 and the workin' classes wouldn't stand bein' oppressed much longer4 ,they'd rise and throw off the yoke4 ,those was his very words4 ,some as is doin' nothing now would have to set their hands to work4 ,if you mean yourself1 it might be a good business4 ,no1 it's the idle rich ,i be talkin' of1 like ,mr4 ,everard or ,captain ,gordon1 or even ,parson2 for what does he do1 ,i should like to know1 beyond preach1 and that's an easy enough job4 ,what right have ,captain ,gordon or ,mr4 ,everard to the hares and pheasants8 ,they be wild things1 and ,i says let anybody take 'em as can catch 'em4 ,the folks in ,scripture went out huntin'1 and we're not told as it was called poachin'4 ,they didn't bring ,esau up before the magistrates for gettin' his venison4 ,mrs4 ,gartley shook her head4 ,such reasoning was utterly beyond her powers of argument4 ,i reckon times was different then1 she ventured4 ,they be cruel bad for us poor folks just now4 ,we'd be as good as anybody else if we had the money1 urged her husband4 ,you're a fine-lookin' wench still1 ,jane1 if you'd a silk dress and a big hat with feathers like ,mrs4 ,gordon's4 ,what's the use o' talkin'8 replied ,mrs4 ,gartley1 amazed at the unwonted compliment4 ,i'm never likely to wear a silk dress this side o' the grave4 ,unlikelier things has come to happen than that6 ,we might be somebodies if---- ,if what8 ,if something ,i've got in my mind was to come off4 ,what do you mean8 ,oh1 nothing particular6 ,only it would be uncommon nice to set up as fine as other folks--in a new country1 where no one knowed what we had been4 ,i don't understand4 ,wouldn't you like to go out to ,america or ,australia1 and start afresh8 ,why1 yes2 but we haven't got a penny to go with4 ,no more we have1 that's true1 chuckled ,mr4 ,gartley4 ,you say uncommon clever things sometimes1 ,jane4 ,no1 we've not got a penny-piece to pay our fares--at present4 ,what are you drivin' at8 ,nothing4 ,don't you begin askin' questions4 ,you'd best keep a still tongue in your head and shut your eyes1 as far as ,i'm concerned4 ,oh1 ,bob6 ,you're never going to be at some of your old tricks8 ,i tell you it's not safe4 ,a stray hare now and again is bad enough1 but when it comes to---- ,shut up6 commanded ,mr4 ,gartley angrily4 ,i'll mind my own business1 and you may mind yours4 ,go and turn those squalling brats off the door-step1 they send me mad with their noise4 ,i'll make 'em go to ,church another time1 clothes or no clothes4 ,parson may put 'em in clean pinafores1 if he's so anxious to have 'em at ,sunday school4 ,mrs4 ,gartley fled to disperse her family1 and wisely refrained from any further inquiries about her husband's intentions2 arguments1 she knew1 were wasted upon him1 and it was useless to distress herself with too close a knowledge of his devious methods of acquiring a living4 ,i can guess what he's after1 she thought4 ,and if he's caught1 they'll give he seven years4 ,it'll mean the poorhouse for ,i and the children4 ,well1 it's no use talkin'1 for once ,bob's set his mind on a thing1 do it he will4 ,when his wife was safely out of the way1 ,mr4 ,gartley retired upstairs to the bedroom1 where after moving a heavy oak chest1 he laid bare a loose plank in the floor4 ,this he lifted1 and from some receptacle below he drew a dark lantern and one or two tools of peculiar workmanship4 ,he stored these treasures in his pockets1 then1 replacing the plank1 he lifted the chest back into its accustomed position4 ,she's no idea where ,i keep 'em1 he muttered1 and it's best as she shouldn't know4 ,i may as well try to-night1 folks be always abed early and sleep sound on ,sundays4 ,parson would say it was their good conscience4 ,my old granny had a sayin'3 ',the better the day1 the better the deed'1 so good luck to my work to-night1 and may we soon be off to ,america6 99 99 99 99 99 ,on this identical ,sunday it happened that a few of the ,aireyholme girls1 taking a walk with their ,principal in the afternoon1 met ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,ledbury and ,githa1 who were also out for exercise4 ,now ,githa had brought ,tony1 and ,gwethyn1 who was with the school party1 fell upon her pet with the rapture due to long separation4 ,mrs4 ,franklin was not at all fond of dogs1 but on this occasion she was in a singularly gracious and generous mood4 ,she had had a pleasant little chat with ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,ledbury1 and when turning to go1 she noticed ,gwethyn's unwillingness to part with her darling ,tony4 ,it's very kind of ,githa to take charge of your dog1 she remarked4 ,if you like1 you may bring him home with you this afternoon1 and keep him until to-morrow4 ,gwethyn walked away cuddling her treasure closely4 ,to have her pet to herself even for twenty-four hours was an indulgence sufficient to make her forgive ,mrs4 ,franklin for many other strictnesses4 ,master ,tony was the idol of the school at tea-time2 he was a vain little dog1 who loved admiration1 and that afternoon he was cosseted to his heart's content4 ,he held almost a royal reception1 everybody declaring him perfectly sweet4 ,i wish we'd even a yard dog at ,aireyholme1 said ,rose ,randall4 ,it's a pity ,mrs4 ,franklin detests them so4 ,she was quite kind to ,tony to-day4 ,how well he looks1 the darling6 ,he's almost too fat now1 instead of being too thin4 ,precious one6 ,are you going to sleep with your own missis to-night8 ,evidently ,master ,tony had no intention of being left alone1 for when nine o'clock came he trotted upstairs with ,gwethyn1 and promptly installed himself on her bed4 ,miss ,andrews1 coming her duty-round at half-past nine1 noticed the silky head peeping from under the dressing-jacket that covered him1 but she kindly took no notice4 ,for once he was to be privileged4 ,everyone seems to go to bed early on ,sunday night1 remarked ,katrine1 taking a glance through the window at the silent village at the bottom of the hill below the school4 ,perhaps it's the mental effort of listening that exhausts their brains4 ,i dare say on week-days many of them are like the agricultural labourer in ,punch1 who said he thought of 'maistly nought'4 ,people seem far more tired with two services than with a day's work in the fields4 ,the girls had been sound asleep for a long time1 when ,gwethyn was suddenly disturbed by an uneasy whimper from ,tony4 ,wideawake in a moment1 she sat up4 ,what's the matter1 my precious8 ,the room was in complete darkness1 but she could tell from the dog's warning growl that he was all on the alert4 ,do you hear anything8 ,tony's low grumble was a sufficient answer in his own language4 ,is it rats8 ,be quiet1 ,gwethyn1 and let us listen too1 said ,katrine1 who was also aroused4 ,i thought ,i heard a queer noise4 ,in dead silence the girls waited4 ,for a minute or two all was still1 then came a curious subdued sound like the very gentle working backwards and forwards of a file4 ,what is it8 whispered ,gwethyn4 ,i don't know4 ,it seems to come from downstairs4 ,yes1 most certainly4 ,is it a rat gnawing8 ,that's no rat4 ,has a bird got into the chimney8 ,no1 it sounds quite different4 ,i believe it's outside4 ,shall ,i strike a match8 ,better not4 ,i want to listen at the window4 ,katrine crept out of bed1 and groped her way across the dark room to the open casement4 ,it was a cloudy night1 with neither moon nor star in the sky1 and the view was one uniform mass of blackness4 ,the silence was almost oppressive2 none of the ordinary country noises were to be heard1 not a cow lowed nor a solitary owl hooted--all the world lay hushed in quiet sleep4 ,the darkness seemed to hedge them round and cut them off from the rest of the slumbering humanity in the village4 ,tony had followed ,katrine1 and pushed his cold moist nose into her hand4 ,as she bent down to pat him1 she could feel his whole body quivering with tense agitation4 ,he knows something is wrong1 or he wouldn't be upset like this1 she thought4 ,again from the darkness outside came that curious subdued scraping sound4 ,their bedroom was over the porch4 ,could a strange dog be scratching at the door beneath8 ,or some wild animal--a weasel or a stoat1 perhaps--be seeking an entrance8 ,she leaned cautiously from the window1 trying in vain to distinguish any object4 ,her heart was beating fast1 and she was trembling with nervousness4 ,the noise ceased again1 there was a moment's pause1 and for one second she saw a gleam of light in the garden below4 ,instantly a sudden illumination swept over her mind3 it was neither rat1 bird1 dog1 stoat1 nor weasel1 but a human being that was disturbing their peace4 ,gwethyn1 she breathed in a panic-stricken whisper1 somebody is trying to break in through the dining-room window6 ,at the very suggestion of burglars ,gwethyn gave a shriek of terror1 which set ,tony barking loudly enough to have disturbed the ,forty ,thieves4 ,so furious was his anger against the unknown intruder1 that he would have leaped through the window if she had not held him by the collar4 ,all his doggish instincts urged him to defend his mistresses1 and he was ready to fly at the throat of whoever had set foot in the garden below4 ,the noise disturbed the other occupants of the landing4 ,the girls came running from their rooms to inquire the cause of the upset4 ,mrs4 ,franklin appeared upon the scene with the promptitude of fire-drill practice4 ,on grasping the fact that an attempt was being made to break into the house1 she ran to the big school bell1 and tolled an alarm signal calculated to waken the whole village4 ,she went on ringing vigorously until shouts and running footsteps outside assured her of help4 ,mr4 ,white1 from the farm near at hand1 and some of his boys were the first to arrive1 but they were followed almost immediately by the blacksmith1 the saddler1 and a number of cottagers1 till quite a little crowd had collected in the drive4 ,mrs4 ,franklin hastily explained the situation1 and some of the men1 taking lanterns1 made a thorough examination of the premises4 ,this midnight alarm caused a great stir in ,heathwell4 ,such a thing as an attempted burglary had hitherto been absolutely unknown1 and the inhabitants felt that it was a reflection on the village4 ,the policeman paid a solemn call at ,aireyholme1 produced his notebook1 and asked a multitude of questions1 particularly of ,katrine and ,gwethyn2 but the girls could give little or no information4 ,beyond the fact that they had heard a noise and seen a light in the garden1 there was not a shred of evidence1 or the faintest clue to lead to the identification of the thief4 ,the inspector examined the frame of the dining-room window1 which certainly bore marks as if an effort had been made to force it with some sharp tool1 and he carefully measured the footprints in the flower-bed2 but as many of these had undoubtedly been made by the stalwart boots of ,mr4 ,white and other assiduous helpers in the ardour of their search1 it would have been impossible for even a ,sherlock ,holmes to gain any enlightenment from them4 ,nobody in the village had seen any suspicious characters about1 and everyone seemed to have been sound asleep in bed until roused by the ringing of the ,aireyholme alarm bell4 ,in the end the policeman wrote a formal report to the effect that some person or persons unknown had made an attempt to commit a felony1 but had been interrupted in the act by the barking of the dog4 ,all of which is absolutely self-evident1 and didn't need a whole hour's investigation1 said ,gwethyn4 ,still1 ,i suppose poor old ,whately had to write something in his notebook4 ,the chief credit seems to be due to ,tony4 ,i'm sure he scared the wretch away4 ,i don't know what we should have done without him4 ,tony was undoubtedly the hero of the occasion4 ,if he had been petted before1 he was lionized now4 ,even ,mrs4 ,franklin admitted that a dog in the house was a great protection1 and offered to let ,gwethyn keep ,tony at ,aireyholme for the rest of the term4 ,the ,principal had been more alarmed at the attempted burglary than she would confess to her pupils4 ,she tried to reassure the girls1 telling them it was very improbable that any thief would make a second attempt on the premises2 but for many nights everybody in the school slept uneasily1 and woke at the least sound4 ,the only person in ,heathwell who did not exhibit much excitement at the news of the attempt to break into ,aireyholme was ,mr4 ,bob ,gartley1 who received his wife's very enlarged version of the story with an imperturbable countenance4 ,there was a gang of them1 was there8 he remarked4 ,all armed with pistols and bludgeons1 and bent on murder8 ,where be they a-gone to1 then8 ,and why ain't ,whately tracked 'em out8 ,seems to me as if he don't know his business1 and he'd best retire4 ,i think ,i'll apply for the job6 ,how would you like me as a police inspector8 ,i've no doubt you'd be up to a trick or two1 if you was6 ,it's a comfort1 though1 as you're not mixed up in this1 for you was over in ,captain ,gordon's preserves at ,chiselton1 though you couldn't bring that in as an alibi6 ,yes1 at ,chiselton1 and that be four miles from ,heathwell4 ,if ,i likes to take a little midnight walk to admire the moon1 ,i don't see what call anyone has to go interferin' with me4 ,everyone has their hobbies1 and mine's for enjoyin' the beauties o' nature4 ,but there weren't no moon last night1 objected his wife4 ,what business is that o' yours8 ,a man may be a bit wrong in the calendar1 and go out to look for what ain't there4 ,why can't you get on with your washin'1 instead o' standin' idlin' and talkin'8 ,it were a nearish shave1 reflected ,mr4 ,gartley1 as his wife beat a retreat4 ,i'd only just nipped over the wall afore ,john ,white come runnin' out4 ,i thought ,i should 'a managed the trick that time4 ,i were a fool not to find out first as they kept a dog6 ',twouldn't be safe to venture it again for a goodish bit1 at any rate1 so good-bye to ,america for the present4 ,it's hard luck on a workin' man who's tryin' to do the best for 'is family6 ,,chapter ,,xv ,amateur ,artists ,flowery ,june had given place to blazing ,july4 ,the pink roses were fading on the cottage fronts1 and the laburnums had long been over4 ,tall white lilies still bloomed in the village gardens1 and geraniums were beginning to show their scarlet glory4 ,the fresh green of early summer had yielded to darker tones1 the trees were thick masses of foliage1 the hedges a tangle of traveller's joy4 ,if the landscape lacked the inspiration of spring1 it was nevertheless full of rich beauty1 especially to eyes trained to appreciate the picturesque4 ,miss ,aubrey's sketching class was at present quite a large one1 for it had been augmented by the addition of ,viola1 ,dorrie1 and ,diana4 ,now that their matriculation examination was over1 they no longer needed private coaching1 and ,mrs4 ,franklin transferred their spare hours to her sister4 ,the three monitresses were glad of the change2 after the hard brainwork and the very close application that had been required from them1 they turned to painting with the greatest relief4 ,every afternoon a procession of enthusiastic students1 bearing camp-stools and easels1 wended its way from ,aireyholme4 ,at first ,miss ,aubrey had led her artistic flock to the village1 but with ,july days came a change of plans4 ,the ,council school broke up for six weeks1 and ,heathwell was suddenly over-run with children4 ,although according to statistics the population of ,england might be on the decrease1 here it certainly showed no signs of dwindling4 ,small people were everywhere1 as the amateur artists found to their cost4 ,no doubt it was most unreasonable of the ,aireyholme girls1 who liked their own ,august vacation1 to object to other schools having holidays1 but they did not appreciate a crowd of spectators1 and grumbled exceedingly4 ,good-bye to the last remnants of peace and quiet6 said ,dorrie4 ,we're simply haunted by these wretched infants4 ,they seem to think us fair game4 ,i had the whole of the ,gartley family1 including the baby1 sitting round my feet to-day4 ,i like children singly or in pairs1 or even up to half a dozen1 protested ,diana1 but when it comes to having them wholesale like this1 ,i feel as if ,i were minding a creche4 ,oh1 what a nuisance they are6 ,it all comes of being too attractive1 as the old lady said when she was struck by lightning6 laughed ,gwethyn4 ,the class was sketching the street and the market hall4 ,some of the girls were making very good attempts at the subject1 and ,miss ,aubrey was most anxious for them to finish their paintings1 so for two more afternoons they braved their fatal popularity4 ,it was impossible to escape the too friendly juveniles4 ,scouts were generally waiting to convey the news of their arrival1 and they would walk down the village followed by a long comet's tail of small fry1 who would encamp close to them on the market-hall steps1 bringing babies1 puppies1 or kittens1 eating bread and treacle1 munching green apples1 and singing deafening school songs in chorus4 ,it was not the slightest use to tell the youngsters to go away2 they would only retreat to a distance of about ten yards1 and then edge gradually nearer again4 ,i've tried to look cross and savage1 said ,gladwin ,riley1 but they only grin4 ,i've been trying to civilize them1 sighed ,nan ,bethell4 ,i suggested to one youth that it would be an improvement for him to wash his particularly grimy little fingers4 ,he looked at me1 and then at his hands for a moment or two--apparently it takes some time for the agricultural brain to turn over a new idea--then he remarked briefly3 ',i likes 'em dirty6' and transferred them to his pockets4 ,any further arguments on my poor part would1 ,i felt1 be superfluous4 ,though the girls laughed over the humour of their experiences1 they really found the children very trying1 and both teacher and pupils were thankful when the sketches of the market hall were successfully finished4 ,one final incident seemed the coping-stone of their annoyances4 ,a child1 even more eager than the rest to press near1 was jostled by the others off the raised pathway where she was standing1 and fell with a crash on to the road1 almost upsetting ,katrine's easel1 and smashing a bottle of vinegar which she had been holding clasped in her arms4 ,a woman1 who proved to be the delinquent's mother1 came out from a cottage1 and after first administering a vigorous smack to her offspring1 offered hot water wherewith to sponge the damaged clothing4 ,she was really very kind1 said ,katrine afterwards1 but ,i could see that she was all the time regretting such a waste of good vinegar1 more than sympathizing with me for absorbing it4 ,i don't believe this skirt will ever be fit to wear again4 ,i know ,i shall feel like a pickled herring if ,i put it on6 ,it was not at all an easy matter for ,miss ,aubrey to choose a suitable subject for a large class4 ,the girls were at different stages of ability1 and the beginners must not be sacrificed to the cleverer few4 ,while ,katrine1 ,gladwin1 and perhaps ,diana could manage a sketch of trees1 hayfield1 or reedy river1 the others demanded something more palpable in the way of drawing4 ,a cottage1 where you could reproduce the lines of roof1 door1 windows1 and chimney1 was far easier than a misty impression of sky and foliage4 ,but where there were cottages there were nearly always children to stand and stare1 so again ,miss ,aubrey found herself in a difficulty4 ,she solved it by taking her class to sketch a picturesque1 tumble-down little farm1 about a mile and a half away from ,heathwell1 where1 for a marvel1 not even a solitary specimen of childhood resided4 ,the mistress of the place was an attraction in herself4 ,she had established a considerable reputation in the neighbourhood as a herb doctor1 preparing various nauseous and ill-smelling brews for sick cows or horses1 or for human sprained ankles1 bad legs1 toothaches1 headaches1 or other ailments4 ,she charmed warts and cured agues1 and was even held by many to be somewhat of a witch4 ,she was credited with the evil eye1 and awestruck neighbours told dark tales of terrible misfortunes having befallen those who were unfortunate or rash enough to cross her will4 ,as it is rare in this twentieth century to meet anybody with even the shadow of a reputation for the black arts1 the girls were thrilled at the accounts they heard1 and much disappointed that the old dame never vouchsafed them an exhibition of her talents4 ,one day she invited them to enter1 and they persuaded her to explain to them the various treasures that adorned her parlour4 ,certainly the collection was unique4 ,two stuffed cocks stood on the window seat1 each covered with an antimacassar1 whether to preserve them1 or merely to display the crochet work of which an example adorned every chair1 it was impossible to decide2 while a third chanticleer on the mantelpiece was generally used as a stand for the good woman's best bonnet4 ,they had no doubt been fine birds in their time1 and had won never-to-be-forgotten prizes at a local show1 but their present value as ornaments was a matter of opinion4 ,a marvellous sampler representing the ,tabernacle in the ,wilderness hung over the sideboard2 carefully worked flames were depicted rising from the altar1 and two cherubim with black beads for eyes and white ,berlin-wool wings hovered at either corner1 a few sizes too large for the building4 ,on the mantelpiece lay two extraordinary objects which the girls at first took to be shells1 but as they corresponded with no known specimen of conchology1 inquiries were made4 ,ah1 well6 said the old woman1 taking them down tenderly4 ,these are my poor ,richard's heels1 the only thing ,i have left of him now4 ,they came off all in a piece like that1 when he was peeling after the scarlet fever4 ,indeed1 ,i've always kept them to remember him by4 ,they're the best weather-glass ,i have4 ,i can generally tell by them when it's going to rain4 ,thirty years--so ,miss ,aubrey hastened to ascertain--had passed since the memorable illness1 therefore they might reasonably hope that no germs yet lingered in the relics2 but they shuddered to think of the infection which must surely have been spread in the earlier days1 when these treasures were examined and handled by curious neighbours4 ,an old illustrated ,bible1 with the date #ahjg1 containing many crude woodcuts1 occupied the little round table under the window4 ,mrs4 ,jones declared she never did anything without consulting it2 and the girls were just going to express appreciation of her pious attention to ,scripture1 when she explained that her method was to shut her eyes1 and opening the book at random1 to insert the door key1 and close it again4 ,it had then to be turned over seven times1 and whatever text the key pointed to1 was sure to be appropriate4 ,once1 so she declared1 she had applied to it for advice as to whether to go to law with a farmer who had encroached upon her plot of land4 ,she had struck the words3 ,him will ,i destroy1 and being thus encouraged to pursue her suit1 she had won her case in triumph4 ,indeed1 it's always right1 she said1 putting it carefully back on its wool-work mat4 ,i call it my conjuring book1 and ,i wouldn't part with it for anything you could offer me4 99 99 99 99 99 ,one gets odd peeps at life in the course of one's painting adventures1 said ,miss ,aubrey4 ,an artist has the opportunity of becoming a good student of human nature4 ,sketching somehow brings one into touch with people in a way which no other hobby can emulate4 ,i have had many funny experiences since ,i first took up the brush4 ,mrs4 ,jones beats even ,granny ,blundell at queerness1 decided the girls4 ,one afternoon1 as a very special treat1 ,miss ,aubrey decided to take her three best pupils with her on an expedition by river to ,chistleton4 ,the landlord of the ,dragon ,inn owned a boat1 and would row them there and back1 waiting several hours for them in the town1 while they saw the sights4 ,they were to start after an early lunch1 and have tea at a cafe in ,chistleton4 ,katrine1 ,diana1 and ,gladwin were the chosen ones1 and their luck was the envy of the rest of the sketching class1 who implored to be included also4 ,miss ,aubrey1 however1 stuck to her original plan4 ,she could not take more than three girls in the boat1 and told the others they must be content to wait until some future occasion4 ,there was much to be seen in the old town2 the walls were still extant1 and two of the ancient gateways remained2 the almshouses were show places1 and the castle was the glory of the neighbourhood4 ,miss ,aubrey wished to encourage the girls in rapid sketching1 and made them take quick pencil impressions of all the principal sights4 ,she had refused to allow them to bring cameras4 ,people are too ready to make snapshots nowadays1 was her verdict4 ,they are putting photography in the place of drawing4 ,i grant that your kodaks will give a perfectly accurate picture1 but a photo can never have the artistic merit of a sketch4 ,in my mind it corresponds to a piece played on the pianola2 it is correct1 but has no individuality4 ,look at some of the pencil sketches of the great masters3 how beautiful is the touch1 and how much is conveyed in a few lines6 ,nothing gives a better art training than the habit of continually jotting down every pretty bit you may see4 ,hand and brain learn to work together1 and you begin to get that facility with your pencil which nothing but long practice can give you4 ,miss ,aubrey's own drawings were delightful2 the girls watched with admiration as her clever fingers in a few minutes transferred some picturesque corner to paper4 ,they tried their best to emulate her1 and filled several pages of their sketch-books with quite praiseworthy attempts4 ,at the castle especially they secured some charming little subjects4 ,it was a grand old ,norman building1 half in ruins1 with ivy-clad towers1 grass-grown courtyard1 and the remains of a moat4 ,the guard-room with its vaulted roof1 the oratory with its rose window1 and the banqueting-hall were almost intact1 and a winding staircase led to a pathway round the battlements4 ,the girls wandered about1 drawing first one bit and then another1 going frequently to ,miss ,aubrey for good advice4 ,they were pleased with their efforts1 which1 as well as being good practice1 would make delightful reminiscences of the place4 ,it was perhaps a weakness on their part to purchase picture post-cards of the castle2 but then1 as they elaborately explained to ,miss ,aubrey1 they only bought them to send away to friends1 not to shirk sketching on their own account4 ,katrine1 always on the look-out for antiquities1 listened to the voice of an old post-card vendor of guileless and respectable appearance1 who mysteriously intimated that for a consideration he would transfer from his pocket to hers a few broken tiles out of the oratory1 the removal of such keepsakes by the general public being strictly forbidden4 ,she yielded to the temptation1 pressed a shilling into his ready hand1 and pocketed the fragments4 ,she brought them in great triumph and secrecy to show to ,miss ,aubrey4 ,it's lovely to have some real old pieces6 she exclaimed ecstatically4 ,these will go with some ,roman tiles that ,i have at home4 ,i shall get a museum together in course of time6 ,i had to give the old chap some backsheesh1 but ,i think he deserved it4 ,let me look1 said ,miss ,aubrey1 examining the treasures4 ,my dear girl1 ,i'm grieved to blight your hopes1 but ,i should certainly like to know how one of these antique crocks has the ,doulton mark on the back of it6 ,it hasn't6 gasped ,katrine4 ,there it is1 most unmistakably4 ,i'm sorry to undeceive you1 but ,i'm afraid it's no more mediaeval than ,i am4 ,oh1 the craft of the old villain6 mourned ,katrine4 ,i wonder how often he's tried this trick on innocent and unsuspecting visitors8 ,if ,i could only catch him1 ,i'd upbraid him1 and demand my money back6 ,you wouldn't get it1 you silly child6 ,he has conveniently vanished1 and is perhaps boasting of his cleverness to a circle of envious and admiring friends4 ,you must be very cautious if you want to go in for collecting2 false antiquities are1 unfortunately1 more common than genuine ones1 and clever rogues are always ready to lay traps for the unwary4 ,after having tea at a cafe1 ,miss ,aubrey and the girls made their way to the wharf1 and found ,stephen ,peters1 the landlord of the ,dragon1 ready at the trysting-place4 ,in excellent spirits they took their seats1 anticipating with much pleasure their return trip on the river4 ,they hadna' gane a mile1 a mile1 as the ballad says1 before they began to wish themselves back on dry land4 ,miss ,aubrey had not particularly noticed their boatman's condition before they started2 but they had not rowed far when she made the unpleasant discovery that he was hardly fit to handle the oars4 ,he was in a jovial mood1 and insisted upon bursting into snatches of song4 ,he was perfectly sober coming from ,heathwell2 he must have spent the whole afternoon at the inn on the wharf while he was waiting for us1 thought poor ,miss ,aubrey1 trying to conceal her fears from her pupils4 ,the girls were very naturally alarmed1 for ,mr4 ,peters was rowing in a particularly crooked fashion1 continually bumping into the banks1 and running into clumps of overhanging willows1 perhaps under a mistaken impression that he was arriving at his own landing-place4 ,i believe the rudder's wrong1 said ,diana1 who had an elementary knowledge of matters nautical1 and had undertaken to steer4 ,he must have partly unshipped it before we left ,chistleton4 ,it's not the slightest use4 ,i wish we hadn't come6 ,the landlord's rowdy hilarity was shortlived1 and rapidly turned to pessimism2 he now shipped his oars1 and regarded his frightened passengers with a baneful glance4 ,it will be best if ,i send us all to the bottom6 he announced4 ,oh1 no6 ,come1 come1 ,mr4 ,peters1 ,i'm sure you won't do that6 said ,miss ,aubrey persuasively1 hoping to change the tenor of his mood again4 ,i'll do anything to oblige a lady1 was the maudlin response2 after which1 apparently finding the situation too much for his failing senses1 he lay down comfortably in the bottom of the boat1 and fell asleep4 ,it was safer to have him thus out of harm's way2 but the little party was in an extremely awkward strait4 ,none of them1 except ,diana1 had the slightest experience of rowing1 and the rudder was undoubtedly half unshipped4 ,katrine and ,diana each took an oar1 but their efforts were of a most amateur description1 and they could make little progress against the current4 ,poor ,miss ,aubrey sat very white and quiet in the stern1 giving what directions she could1 though she was practically as helpless as her pupils4 ,she reproached herself keenly for having exposed them to such danger4 ,what was their joy1 on rounding a bend of the river1 to see an easel on the bank1 and the familiar figure of ,mr4 ,freeman working at a canvas4 ,they all halloed loudly to him for help1 and he soon grasped the situation4 ,can you manage to turn her1 and paddle to the bank8 he shouted4 ,be careful6 ,that's right--never mind where she lands1 just get her ashore anyhow6 ,the boat1 after wobbling round in a rather unsteady fashion1 finally ran aground in a bed of reeds4 ,by taking off his shoes and stockings1 ,mr4 ,freeman contrived to wade out and board her1 much to everyone's relief4 ,we thought we should never get home safely1 said ,miss ,aubrey4 ,peters has been dreadful6 ,he threatened to send us to the bottom6 ,we were thankful when he collapsed4 ,the drunken sot6 exclaimed ,mr4 ,freeman1 looking with disgust at the prostrate figure4 ,he ought to have his licence withdrawn6 ,he has no right to take out pleasure-boats4 ,we'll leave him where he is1 and ,i'll row you back to ,heathwell4 ,i'll fetch my sketching traps4 ,oh no1 please don't apologize6 ,i couldn't think of doing otherwise4 ,i'll come again to my subject to-morrow2 ,i'm in no hurry to finish it4 ,it has been a most horrible experience1 said ,miss ,aubrey to the girls1 when they were at last back in safety at ,heathwell4 ,i hope ,stephen ,peters will be thoroughly ashamed of himself when he recovers4 ,i shall never hire his boat again1 and shall warn other people not to trust him4 ,i certainly thought we were going to be upset4 ,if we hadn't fortunately come across ,mr4 ,freeman1 ,i don't know what might have happened4 ,the ,fairy ,prince always turns up at the right moment6 whispered ,diana to ,gladwin1 causing that damsel serious inconvenience1 for she wished to explode1 but was obliged to suppress such ill-timed mirth in the presence of the mistress4 ,,chapter ,,xvi ,concerns a ,letter ,the ,girls' ,patriotic ,league never for a moment forgot that it was war-time4 ,though the quiet village of ,heathwell was little affected by the ,european crisis1 echoes of the conflict often reached ,aireyholme from relations at the front4 ,all the school grieved with ,jill ,barton when her brother was reported missing1 and rejoiced when he turned out to be safe and sound after all4 ,they did their best to comfort ,jess ,howard1 whose cousin's name was added to the ,roll of ,honour1 and shared ,hebe ,bennett's anxiety when her father was in a ,red ,cross ,hospital4 ,as a practical means of showing their patriotism1 they had grown vegetables instead of flowers in their school gardens1 and sent the little crops of peas and onions and cabbages to be distributed among the soldiers' and sailors' wives at a ,tipperary ,club in ,carford4 ,katrine and ,gwethyn heard rather irregularly from ,hereward4 ,they looked forward to his letters as uncertain but delightful events1 and sat in eager expectation every morning when ,mrs4 ,franklin distributed the correspondence4 ,news that he was wounded came as a sore blow1 though a letter in his handwriting followed immediately1 assuring them of his convalescence in a ,base ,hospital4 ,i am doing splendidly1 he wrote1 and hope soon to be at those ,huns again4 ,i am very comfortable here1 and as jolly as a cricket1 so don't bother yourselves over me4 ,there's a fellow in the bed next to mine who says he knows ,heathwell4 ,we got talking1 and ,i told him you two were at school there1 so that's how it came up4 ,he used to live at a house called the ',grange'4 ,his name is ,ledbury--an awfully decent chap--he's in the ,canadian ,rifles4 ,he's had rather a nasty shrapnel wound1 and will probably be sent home on sick leave4 ,we've a jolly lot of books and magazines here1 and sometimes there's a concert in the ward4 ,i can tell you we all yell the choruses to the songs4 ,we don't sound much like invalids4 ,when ,katrine and ,gwethyn had finished joying over the happy fact that ,hereward seemed to be in no danger1 and was apparently enjoying himself in hospital1 it occurred to them to consider the item of news which he had mentioned concerning his fellow-patient4 ,they showed the letter to ,githa4 ,she was immensely excited4 ,why1 surely it must be ,uncle ,frank6 she exclaimed4 ,it couldn't possibly be anyone else6 ,he's been away for years and years1 and no one knew what had become of him4 ,i haven't seen him since ,i was a tiny tot1 and ,i shouldn't remember him at all4 ,how splendid that he's joined the ,canadians6 ,oh6 ,i'm proud to have a relation at the front4 ,it's glorious6 ,how ,i'd love to write to him6 ,if ,i did1 would you enclose it with yours to your brother1 and ask him to give it to him8 ,of course it mightn't be ,uncle ,frank after all1 but ,i think ,i'll chance it6 ,write straight away1 then1 said ,katrine1 for we shall be posting our letters to ,hereward to-day4 ,i'll lend you some foreign paper4 ,oh1 thanks so much6 ,githa spent the whole of her recreation time at her desk4 ,her epistle1 if rather a funny one1 had at least the merit of being spontaneous1 for she put exactly what came into her head at the moment1 without pausing to think of the composition4 ,,dear ,,uncle ,,frank1 ,at least1 ,i'm not at all sure that you really are my ,uncle ,frank1 but ,i do hope you are4 ,it's just splendid that you are in the ,canadians4 ,i am dreadfully sorry you are wounded4 ,i hope you will soon be quite well again4 ,if you come back to ,england1 do please come and see me1 that is to say if you are really ,uncle ,frank1 but ,i expect you are4 ,i want to see you most dreadfully4 ,cedric and ,i have often talked about you1 and planned that we would go and live with you4 ,cedric tried to run away to you in ,america two weeks ago1 but it is a good thing he did not go1 for he would not have found you there4 ,i am quite sure you are nice1 and ,i should so like to see you4 ,nobody is living at the ',grange' now1 and it looks so wretched4 ,i wish you would come and live there1 and ask me to come too4 ,i should like to live at the ',grange' again1 and ,cedric could come for the holidays4 ,he is to go to-morrow to stay with a gentleman in ,london1 who will coach him for the ,naval ,examination4 ,i must stop now1 as the bell is just going to ring1 and ,i have no more time4 ,i have written this letter in school4 ,from your loving ,niece1 ,,githa ,,hamilton4 ,i hope ,i really am your niece1 after all4 ,githa folded and addressed her letter1 and ran to give it into ,katrine's safe keeping4 ,her eyes were dancing1 but clouded as a sudden apprehension struck her4 ,suppose he's left the ,base ,hospital8 she queried4 ,hereward will send it to him4 ,he'll easily find out where he's gone4 ,i'll undertake it shall reach him somehow4 ,what a trump you are6 ,oh6 ,i wonder if it is really and truly ,uncle ,frank1 or only somebody else8 ,i wish somebody could send me news of my uncle1 said ,yvonne de ,boeck wistfully4 ,it is now five months since we hear4 ,is he alive8 we ask ourselves4 ,my aunt and my two cousins remain yet in ,holland4 ,yvonne and ,melanie had been at ,aireyholme since the preceding ,november1 and though when they arrived they could speak nothing but ,french and ,flemish1 they were now able to talk ,english quite fluently4 ,indeed1 ,mrs4 ,franklin complained that they had picked up many unnecessary expressions1 and often scolded the girls for teaching them so much slang4 ,they were favourites in the school1 partly because everybody was so sorry for them1 but also because they were really jolly1 friendly children1 and had adapted themselves so readily to their new circumstances4 ,yvonne's twelfth birthday was celebrated with great rejoicings2 the many presents she received and the ,english iced birthday-cake which made its appearance on the tea-table caused her little round rosy face to beam with smiles1 and she exclaimed for the hundredth time3 ,mesdemoiselles1 you are too good towards me6 ,yvonne evinced the utmost admiration for ,tony2 nothing delighted her more than to help with his toilet1 to brush his glossy coat1 wipe his paws when he came in from the garden1 and assist at his ,saturday bath4 ,she was even found tying her best hair ribbon as a bow on his collar4 ,c'est un vrai ange6 she would declare ecstatically4 ,one afternoon1 when most of the girls were at the tennis courts1 ,yvonne happened to stroll to the bottom of the garden to look for a lost ball4 ,while hunting about under the laurels she could see plainly into the road1 and she noticed ,tony trotting through the gate4 ,she called to him1 but1 intent on errands of his own1 he ignored her1 and crossed to the opposite hedge1 where an abandoned bone claimed his interest4 ,he was still busy gnawing it and growling over it1 when tramping from the direction of the village appeared an old ragman1 with a sack slung over his back4 ,as he passed ,tony he stopped1 and set his bag down on the ground1 apparently to rest himself1 though he glanced keenly round with such a strange vigilant look on his face that it immediately attracted ,yvonne's attention4 ,hidden under the laurels1 she watched him carefully4 ,the ragman1 finding himself the only occupant of the road1 and believing he was safe from observation1 opened his bag1 and drawing out a piece of meat1 offered it with a few cajoling words to the unsuspecting dog4 ,tony had a friendly disposition1 and also1 alack6 a tendency towards greediness4 ,he was always ready for something tempting4 ,he left his bone and came up inquiringly4 ,the moment he was within reach1 the ragman snatched him up and crammed him unceremoniously into the sack1 then shouldered him1 and walked off at a rapid pace4 ,it was all done so quickly that ,tony had not even time to yelp1 and once in the interior of the sack1 his protests were smothered to suffocation point4 ,yvonne1 overwhelmed by the extreme suddenness and unexpectedness of the occurrence1 could only give a gasp of horror2 the dog had seemed to vanish as if by a conjuring trick4 ,luckily she was possessed of a certain presence of mind2 she raced up the shrubbery1 found ,george1 the garden boy1 and poured out her news1 pointing the direction in which the ragman had gone4 ,george flung down his spade1 hurried out by the side gate1 and ran along a short lane that led to the road4 ,by thus cutting off a long corner1 he almost fell into the arms of the ragman1 who1 no doubt1 had been congratulating himself upon the speed with which he was escaping with his booty1 and who certainly did not expect to be intercepted in so prompt a manner4 ,you rascal6 ,let's have a peep inside that bag1 exclaimed ,george1 and dragging the sack from the man's shoulder he opened it1 and revealed poor ,tony1 who crawled out1 looking the most astonished dog in the world4 ,the thief did not wait to explain matters4 ,he took to his heels1 leaving his sack behind him4 ,the thrilling tale of ,tony's adventure soon spread over the school4 ,gwethyn was almost in hysterics at the danger her pet had escaped4 ,yvonne1 proudly conscious that for once she had acted as a heroine1 received congratulations on all sides with a pretty ,french air of graciousness4 ,coming so soon after the attempted burglary1 the episode made an even greater stir than it would perhaps otherwise have done4 ,it seemed as if bad characters were abroad in the neighbourhood1 and property must be guarded with unusual vigilance4 ,the girls had allowed their fears to be calmed a little since the recent midnight alarm1 but now their anxiety broke forth again in full force4 ,they went to their rooms that night in a highly nervous condition4 ,they looked carefully underneath their beds and inside their wardrobes1 to make sure that no thieves were concealed there4 ,i wish ,mrs4 ,franklin would let us have night-lights1 sighed ,rose ,randall4 ,directly the room's dark1 ,i know ,i shall be just scared to death4 ,suppose a man climbed in through the window6 ,i'm more afraid of someone being hidden inside the house1 waiting for his opportunity when every one's asleep1 said ,beatrix ,bates4 ,don't you remember that dreadful story of the pedlar's pack8 ,oh1 yes1 you do6 ,it was at a lonely farm-house1 you know2 the father and mother were away for the night1 and at dusk a pedlar called1 and asked if he might leave his pack there till the next day4 ,the girl said yes1 so he carried it in1 and put it down in the parlour2 then he went away4 ,it seemed fearfully heavy1 so the girl was curious and went to look at it1 and then--,beatrix' voice was impressive with horror--she saw it move6 ,she guessed at once that a man was concealed inside it6 ,oh6 a big parcel came to-day by the carrier--,i saw it arrive6 interrupted ,prissie ,yorke1 in visible consternation4 ,what did the girl do with the pedlar's pack8 asked ,dona ,matthews4 ,she stuck a knife into it1 continued ,beatrix1 and there came out--blood6 ,oh6 had she killed him8 ,but at this most sensational point of the narrative ,miss ,andrews came into the dormitory1 scolded the girls for being slow in getting to bed1 and absolutely forbade further conversation4 ,the penalties for breaking silence rule were heavy1 and might involve suspension of tennis on the following day1 so ,beatrix' story1 like a magazine serial1 must perforce be left to be continued in our next4 ,rose could not help thinking about it as she lay in bed4 ,she wondered if groans came from the pack1 and what the girl did next--whether she ran to a neighbour's for help1 or called the dog1 or locked the parlour door1 or went out of her mind with terror4 ,it would have driven me stark staring mad6 she shuddered4 ,she felt too nervous to go to sleep4 ,all the tales she had ever heard or read about murders and burglaries rushed to her remembrance with startling vividness4 ,the night was very hot1 and the window1 of course1 was wide open4 ,how easy it would be for somebody to creep up the ivy1 and climb across the sill6 ,the more she thought about it1 the more terrified she grew4 ,for a couple of hours she tossed restlessly1 lying perfectly still every now and then1 so as to listen intently4 ,were those stealthy footsteps in the passage8 ,was that the sound of a file on the window below8 ,how could ,beatrix1 ,dona1 and ,prissie sleep so peacefully8 ,the whole house was absolutely quiet2 there was no moon1 so it was perfectly dark4 ,again ,rose longed for a night-light4 ,it would be reassuring1 at least1 to be able to see for herself that the room held no intruder4 ,what--oh6 what was that8 ,through the dead silence came a sound like a pistol-shot4 ,she sat up in bed1 trembling in every limb4 ,the noise had wakened the other girls4 ,again it rang through the quiet1 so near that they were convinced it must be in the room4 ,dona was whimpering with terror1 ,prissie buried her head in the bedclothes2 ,beatrix1 more courageous than the rest1 stretched out her hand for the matches that lay on a small table near her bed1 and lighted a candle4 ,the girls looked fearfully round1 fully expecting to see a masked figure covering them with a revolver4 ,there was nobody at all4 ,they stared into one another's panic-stricken faces4 ,a third time1 close at hand1 came the ringing report4 ,it's in the cupboard6 quavered ,rose4 ,at the end of the dormitory two steps led to a small store-room where ,mrs4 ,franklin kept spare blankets1 curtains1 and a miscellaneous assortment of articles4 ,the door was always locked1 and the girls had never even seen inside4 ,it had often excited their curiosity3 to-night it was a veritable ,bluebeard's chamber4 ,they remembered that a big parcel had been delivered that day by the carrier4 ,had ,mrs4 ,franklin stored it in the cupboard8 ,could it--oh1 horrible idea6--be a repetition of the pedlar's pack8 ,very white and trembling1 ,beatrix got out of bed1 and1 candle in hand1 crossed the room4 ,from under the cupboard door1 down the white-painted steps1 ran a stream of something dark and red4 ,the shriek which she uttered was followed by piercing screams from her companions4 ,that a tragedy was being enacted in the store-room they had not a shadow of doubt4 ,at any moment they expected the door to open and the murderer to show himself4 ,with an instinct of self-preservation they fled from the dormitory1 and ran along the passage shouting for help4 ,instantly the house was aroused4 ,alarmed faces peeped from other dormitories1 timorous voices asked what was the matter4 ,several girls began to weep hysterically4 ,mrs4 ,franklin1 armed with a poker1 came hurrying up1 followed closely by ,miss ,andrews1 grasping a hockey stick4 ,taking the candle from ,beatrix1 the ,principal proceeded to ,no4 #g1 the girls marvelling at her courage4 ,there's blood oozing out of the cupboard6 ,prissie and ,dona assured the audience in the passage4 ,what nonsense6 ,nothing of the sort6 declared ,mrs4 ,franklin's firm1 matter-of-fact voice1 as after a moment of inspection she emerged from the dormitory4 ,what has really happened is this4 ,i had left half a dozen bottles of elder syrup there2 the very hot weather has no doubt caused them to ferment1 and ,i suppose they have popped their corks4 ,i'll fetch the key4 ,yvonne and ,novie1 stop crying this instant6 ,there's nothing whatever to be frightened about6 ,mrs4 ,franklin's supposition proved to be correct4 ,when the cupboard was unlocked1 three corkless bottles and a sticky pool of elder syrup were revealed4 ,miss ,andrews wiped up the mess with a towel1 and carried the bottles downstairs1 removing also the three which were intact1 in case of further accidents4 ,the general alarm had changed to mirth4 ,in their revulsion of feeling the girls laughed uproariously at their scare4 ,the elder syrup was used in winter-time to doctor colds1 and they were rather fond of it4 ,it had never played such a gruesome prank before4 ,it's a good thing we didn't ring the school bell again1 and send for ,mr4 ,white1 said ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,we should have looked extremely foolish if he and half the village had arrived4 ,but how can you tell whether it's a real scare or a false one8 objected ,dona1 who felt that there was ample excuse for their alarm4 ,the ,principal1 however1 was not disposed to argue that point1 and packed the girls back to their rooms4 ,in half an hour1 even ,rose ,randall was sleeping the sleep of the just4 ,,chapter ,,xvii ,the ,wishing ,well ,mr4 ,ledbury1 feeling rather doubtful whether ,mr4 ,hawkins's tuition had been up to the required standard1 had decided to send ,cedric to receive some special coaching before going in for his naval examination4 ,the boy departed to ,london in high spirits1 leaving his sister visibly depressed at his absence4 ,mrs4 ,ledbury had lately been far more sympathetic with ,githa1 and noticing that the girl seemed to be moping1 she suggested inviting a school-mate to spend ,friday to ,monday with her4 ,her aunt had never before made such an amazing proposition4 ,much as ,githa would have liked to entertain an occasional visitor1 she had not dared to ask to be allowed to do so4 ,she looked so utterly delighted that ,mrs4 ,ledbury1 who generally saw her most undemonstrative side1 was frankly astonished4 ,it's good for you to make friends of your own age1 she remarked4 ,tell me which girl you would like to have1 and ,i will write a note to ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,githa's choice promptly fell on ,gwethyn4 ,the invitation was sent1 and ,mrs4 ,franklin1 after an interview in the study1 gave majestic permission for its acceptance4 ,the proposed visit caused much amazement in the school4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,ledbury had been looked upon rather as bogeys by the girls4 ,githa had been so guarded in her information about her home life that it was always presumed she was unhappy4 ,how she spent her spare hours she had never divulged4 ,her doings1 away from ,aireyholme1 had always been more or less of a mystery4 ,i hope you'll have a tolerable time6 said ,gwethyn's friends to her in private1 their tone clearly expressing anticipation of the contrary4 ,i suppose ,mrs4 ,ledbury's most frightfully strict4 ,you'll have to be 'prunes and prism' personified4 ,i'll worry through somehow without shocking her more than ,i can help1 returned ,gwethyn4 ,it's ever so decent of her to ask me4 ,well1 of course you couldn't refuse1 decided her chums4 ,if ,gwethyn had any misgivings upon the subject1 the sight of ,githa's pathetic eagerness was sufficient to nerve her to brave a hundred strict and particular aunts4 ,the poor little ,toadstool had been so friendless1 that it was an immense event in her life to be able to bring a companion back with her on ,friday afternoon4 ,gwethyn had really grown to like her1 so the visit was one of inclination1 and not1 as her chums insisted1 sheer philanthropy4 ,perhaps a little curiosity was mixed up with it4 ,she would certainly be the first ,aireyholme girl to see the ,ledburys at home4 ,there was much debating as to whether ,tony should accompany them1 but in the end they reluctantly decided to leave him at school4 ,he could not keep pace with bicycles1 and it was almost impossible to ride and nurse him1 so that to take him would necessitate wheeling the machines the whole way4 ,he possessed such a host of admirers that they could not honestly flatter themselves that he would pine for their society4 ,yvonne would be only too proud to give him his ,saturday bath1 and he could sleep on ,katrine's bed4 ,gwethyn's luggage was sent by the carrier1 and when school was over on ,friday afternoon she and ,githa started off to cycle4 ,gwethyn laughed as she reminded her companion how she and ,katrine had first approached the ,gables on the morning of their unauthorized ride4 ,the house1 which from the back had looked like a farm1 proved a very different building when viewed from the front4 ,it was a handsome modern residence1 with beautifully kept grounds and immaculately rolled gravel drive4 ,mrs4 ,ledbury received ,gwethyn very graciously2 if her manner was not expansive1 she evidently intended to be kind4 ,she was not at her ease with young girls1 that was plainly to be seen1 but she made some efforts at conversation1 to which ,gwethyn responded nobly4 ,tea1 served in the garden1 was rather a solemn business1 for ,githa scarcely spoke once before her aunt1 and there were long pauses of silence1 during which ,mrs4 ,ledbury seemed conscientiously endeavouring to think of some fresh remark to address to her youthful visitor4 ,all three were secretly relieved when the ordeal was over1 and ,mrs4 ,ledbury went into the house1 leaving her niece to entertain her friend alone4 ,githa had much to show to ,gwethyn1 and they adjourned at once to inspect the menagerie of pets which she kept in a disused stable4 ,gwethyn loved animals1 and was ready to wax enthusiastic over the waltzing mice1 the guinea-pigs1 the rabbits1 the silk-worms1 and the formicarium with its wonderful nest of ants4 ,the latter especially fascinated her1 when ,githa removed the cover1 and she was able to watch the busy little workers running hither and thither at their domestic operations4 ,how do you feed them8 she asked4 ,i put honey inside this doorway1 and water inside the other2 that's all they need4 ,rolf1 the collie who had given ,gwethyn so churlish a reception on her former visit1 was now ready to make friends1 and a grey stable cat also condescended to be petted and stroked4 ,githa took a deep interest in poultry1 and was anxious to show the flock of young turkeys1 the goslings1 the chickens1 and ducks1 all of which she had helped to rear4 ,of course ,i can't look after them altogether when ,i'm at school all day1 but ,i get up very early1 so that ,i can give them their morning meal1 and ,i feed them in the evening too4 ,they know me as well as they know ,tom4 ,i just love taking care of them4 ,when ,i grow up1 ,i'd like to have a poultry farm4 ,gwethyn had to see ,githa's garden1 the seat she had made in the apple-tree1 the field where she often found ,nature specimens to bring to school1 and the bushes where the nightingale sang in spring4 ,indoors also there were her books and picture post-cards to be inspected1 and some fancy work upon which she had been busy4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,ledbury dined at seven1 and the two girls had supper by themselves in the morning-room4 ,i do my lessons here in the evenings1 ,githa explained1 but1 thank goodness1 we've none to-night4 ,what would you like to do now8 ,shall we play tennis1 or go for a walk down the fields8 ,gwethyn1 knowing from school experience that ,githa's tennis capabilities were not of a very high order1 chose the walk4 ,it was a greater change for her2 she loved exploring1 and ,aireyholme rules did not give her as much scope in that direction as she would have wished4 ,mr4 ,ledbury owned some of the land near ,the ,gables1 and ,githa proposed that she should take her friend to see the church1 and that they could then come back through her uncle's plantations4 ,it was a lovely summer evening1 with a fresh little breeze that was most exhilarating after the heat of the day4 ,they strolled down a lane where wild strawberries were still in their prime1 and could be found for careful searching4 ,through cornfields and across a pasture1 then down a deep lane1 a very tangle of traveller's joy1 their way led to the church1 the object of their expedition4 ,it was a beautiful old ,norman building1 standing solitary and apart1 with no hamlet or even a farm near to it4 ,it had a neglected appearance1 for the porch was unswept1 the walk a mass of weeds1 and grass grew high over the graves4 ,it seems such a lonely place for a church1 said ,githa4 ,i often wonder if there used to be a village here in the ,middle ,ages4 ,it's a chapel of ease now to ,elphinstone2 we only have service here on ,sunday afternoons1 except on the first ,sunday in the month4 ,not many people come1 only a few of the farmers about4 ,i wish ,i could take you inside1 but the door's locked1 and the clerk lives too far off for us to go and borrow the keys4 ,by peeping through the windows they could see the ancient carved choir stalls1 and some tattered flags1 placed as memorials of long-ago battles4 ,a few sculptured tombs1 with knights in effigy1 were also dimly discernible in the transept4 ,they belong to the ,denham family1 explained ,githa4 ,they used to be the great people of the neighbourhood once1 and they still own ,malbury ,hall1 that quaint old place with the moat round it4 ,no1 they don't live there2 it's let to some ,americans4 ,the ,denhams are too poor now to keep it up4 ,this is their coat of arms over the porch--a griffin holding a sword4 ,once they used to come to church with all their followers2 it must have been a grand sight4 ,i often wish ,i could shut my eyes and catch a vision of it4 ,they tied their horses to those yew-trees2 the rings are still there4 ,then they would come clattering with their spurs up the paved path1 and the ladies would come too1 with little pages to hold up their ,genoese velvet trains1 and the very same bell would be ringing that rings now1 and perhaps some of them would sit in the same places that we do4 ,they were all baptized1 and married1 and buried here4 ,and do they haunt the church8 asked ,gwethyn with a little shudder4 ,many people say they do4 ,i don't think anyone cares to come here after dark4 ,sir ,ralph is supposed to walk1 and ,lady ,margaret4 ,they go down that path1 towards the ,wishing ,well4 ,really a 'wishing well'8 queried ,gwethyn4 ,so folks say4 ,it's very1 very ancient4 ,shall we go and look at it8 ,oh1 we shan't meet ,sir ,ralph and ,lady ,margaret6 ,don't be afraid--it's hardly dusk yet4 ,githa led the way along an overgrown little path among the bushes4 ,in a corner of the churchyard1 overshadowed by thick trees1 lay the well1 a pool of water about six feet square1 with walls like a bath4 ,a few broken pieces of masonry lay about4 ,it's sometimes called the ,black ,friar's well1 continued ,githa1 still acting as guide4 ,he lived during the great ,black ,death in the reign of ,edward ,,iii4 ,the church was closed then1 because the rector and most of his flock had died of the plague2 but one of the ,dominican friars used to come from ,cressington ,abbey and preach in the churchyard to the few people who were left1 and baptize the babies in this well4 ,there was a sort of little chapel over it once1 but that's supposed to have tumbled down long before the time of the plague1 perhaps even before the church was built4 ,what have ,sir ,ralph and ,lady ,margaret to do with it8 ,did they die of the plague8 asked ,gwethyn4 ,no1 that's quite another story4 ,they lived in the time of the ,civil ,wars4 ,they were on the side of the ,king1 and after ,charles's execution1 ,sir ,ralph was considered a rebel by the ,commonwealth4 ,a troop of ,parliamentarian soldiers was sent to arrest him4 ,they stopped at ,cressington ,abbey1 which was then the country house of ,sir ,guy ,meldrum1 a ,roundhead4 ,his wife1 ,dame ,alice1 was cousin to ,sir ,ralph1 and though of course they were on opposite sides1 she was anxious to save him4 ,she did not dare to write him a letter1 or even to send him a verbal message1 but she wrapped a feather in a piece of paper1 and made a stable-boy run across the fields with it to ,malbury ,hall1 while she delayed the troopers as long as she could at ,cressington4 ,people in those troublous times were very quick at taking hints4 ,sir ,ralph guessed that he had better fly1 but the difficulty was where to go4 ,no one would be anxious to receive him1 and get into trouble with the ,parliament4 ,in desperation he fled to the church1 and hid himself in the crypt underneath the chancel4 ,it was a horrible1 dark1 gruesome place to take refuge in1 and of course he needed food while he was there4 ,the troopers had established themselves at ,malbury ,hall1 and kept close watch1 but ,lady ,margaret1 his wife1 used to steal out at night1 and go to visit her husband in the churchyard4 ,it must have been terrible for her to walk there all alone1 and she was afraid of being followed by the soldiers4 ,her fears were only too well justified4 ,in spite of all her precautions1 the captain of the troopers was too clever for her4 ,one night she stole to the crypt as usual1 bringing food and wine for her husband1 and as all seemed safe and quiet1 he came up into the churchyard to get a little fresh air and exercise4 ,they were walking together along the path that leads to the well1 when suddenly there was a shout1 and they found themselves surrounded by the band of troopers4 ,their captain had discovered that someone left the house at night1 and had kept watch with extra care4 ,he had caused his men to tie cloths over their boots1 so that they could walk very silently1 and when ,lady ,margaret was seen vanishing down the garden1 they had followed her4 ,they tried to make ,sir ,ralph prisoner1 but he was determined not to be taken alive1 and fought desperately1 with his back to the little bit of stone wall left near the well4 ,one man had no chance against a troop of soldiers1 however1 and he was soon despatched4 ,when they found he was dead1 they laid him down beside the well1 and left him until they could return by daylight and carry his body away4 ,they arrived the next day with a stretcher1 and there1 lying close by his side1 with her arms flung round him1 they found ,lady ,margaret--quite mad4 ,they treated her gently1 and took her back to ,malbury ,hall1 and she lived there many years2 but she never recovered her senses1 and whenever she could escape from her keepers she would try to run by night to the churchyard4 ,they guarded her as carefully as they could1 but she was cunning1 and at last she managed to evade them1 and get a start4 ,when they discovered her loss1 they followed her1 and found her lying drowned at the bottom of the well4 ,they buried her beside her husband1 in the transept1 and a beautiful monument was erected over their grave4 ,i don't wonder they're supposed to haunt the place1 commented ,gwethyn4 ,i vote we go4 ,this churchyard is too spooky for my taste4 ,i don't want to meet either ,cavaliers or ,roundheads1 thank you6 ,you mustn't go before trying your luck at the well1 said ,githa4 ,everybody who comes here goes through the ceremony4 ,it's most ancient4 ,what have ,i got to do8 ,will it raise ghosts8 ,certainly not4 ,you utter a wish1 then you throw a stone into the water1 and count the bubbles that rise4 ,if they are an odd number1 you'll get the wish1 but if they're even you won't6 ,all right--here goes6 ,i wish ,mother may bring me back an ,australian cockatoo from ,sydney4 ,what a splash6 ,now1 how many bubbles8 ,one-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight 6 ,oh1 what a sell6 ,i suppose she won't1 though ,i've asked her in several of my letters4 ,it's your turn now4 ,what are you going to wish8 ,that some time ,i may go and live at the ,grange again4 ,my stone went in with a plop1 didn't it8 ,one-two-three-four-five-six-seven6 ,o jubilate6 ,i shall get it4 ,please invite me when you're settled there4 ,you bet ,i will6 ,now ,i'm not going to stay in this haunted hole two seconds longer1 proclaimed ,gwethyn4 ,it's growing ever so dark1 and ,sir ,ralph and ,lady ,margaret may come promenading out any time4 ,i'd rather have burglars than ghosts4 ,right-o6 ,we'll go across the stile here1 and take a short cut home through the plantation1 agreed ,githa1 leading the way4 ,,chapter ,,xviii ,a ,discovery ,it was indeed high time for the girls to go home4 ,the sun had set nearly an hour ago1 and the dusk was creeping on to that particular stage when the law of the land requires cyclists to light up4 ,they climbed the stile and plunged into the thick copse of young oaks and beeches4 ,it was dim and mysterious and gloomy under the trees1 a slight breeze had arisen1 and the rustle of the leaves sounded like gentle footsteps4 ,it's rather spooky and creepy1 said ,gwethyn4 ,i wish there were a moon4 ,there is2 but it's a new one4 ,i saw it--a tiny thin crescent--when we were in the lane4 ,don't you feel rather like the ,babes in the ,wood8 ,it's getting darker and darker4 ,if we met the two villains ,i should certainly 'quake for fear'4 ,we're not likely to meet anyone4 ,it's ,uncle's wood4 ,i thought ,i heard footsteps4 ,i think it's nothing but the wind rustling the branches4 ,oh no1 ,githa6 ,it is somebody6 ,do stop and listen4 ,i can hear voices1 and they're coming towards us4 ,suppose they're poachers6 ,let us hide quickly behind these bushes1 and let them pass without seeing us4 ,i wish we'd brought ,rolf4 ,since the midnight adventure at school ,gwethyn was disposed to be much alarmed at all doubtful characters1 and would have gone considerably out of her way to avoid a tramp4 ,she seized ,githa's arm1 and drew her aside now1 in nervous haste1 and together the pair crouched behind a thick sheltering group of bramble bushes4 ,in the dim light they were just able to distinguish the features of the wayfarers who advanced2 one was unmistakably ,bob ,gartley1 and the other they recognized as a carter whom they had sometimes noticed hanging about the ,dragon4 ,the errand of the two men seemed of a doubtful nature1 and might well justify ,gwethyn's suspicions4 ,they stopped opposite the very bush where the girls were concealed1 and taking various pieces of wire and string out of their pockets1 commenced to set traps with much care1 and a skill worthy of a better cause4 ,they were so near that the unwilling listeners behind the brambles could overhear every word that was spoken4 ,things aren't the same as they used to be1 remarked ,bob ,gartley sulkily4 ,it's hard work for a poor man to get even a rabbit nowadays4 ,look out1 ,albert1 you're spoiling that noose6 ,it was very different when ,i was a boy1 returned ,albert4 ,mr4 ,ledbury didn't own the shooting in these woods then1 and they weren't so strictly kept4 ,one had an easy chance of a pheasant or two4 ,aye1 it all belonged to the ,grange1 and it always went with the house in those days4 ,pity it's changed hands4 ,yes2 old ,mr4 ,ledbury never used to trouble much1 and if one took a walk in his woods there was no particular questions asked4 ,this lawyer chap's too sharp4 ,he got more than his share4 ,when the old man died1 everyone in the village said it was a shame those two ,hamilton children should have been overlooked and left nothing4 ,some folks went so far as to say there must have been a later will1 and gave ,mr4 ,wilfred the credit of suppressing it4 ,there was a lot of talk at the time4 ,it seems there was a big sum of money1 thousands of pounds it was1 that old ,mr4 ,ledbury was known to have received only a day or so before his death4 ,it had been paid over to him in notes4 ,he hadn't put it in the bank1 and after his death it never turned up4 ,he was a queer chap was old ,ledbury2 fond of gambling1 and the tale went that he must have lost it at play4 ,now you speak of it1 ,i've heard some talk in the village myself4 ,they say old ,ledbury was a miser as well as a gambler1 and hoarded things like a magpie4 ,it was a queer thing what he'd done with that money4 ,it was uncommon queer1 replied ,bob1 and between you and me1 ,albert1 ,i could tell you a thing or two about that4 ,what do you mean8 ,something ,i saw once1 admitted ,bob cautiously4 ,but so far it's not been worth my while to let on about it1 and ,i ain't been able to take advantage of it myself4 ,i sometimes think if ,i'd a pal now---- ,you and me was always thick1 ,bob1 put in ,albert eagerly4 ,i dare say4 ,but you go clacking like an old hen1 when you've a drop of drink in you6 ,i wouldn't touch aught--leastways not more than my usual pint at supper4 ,if ,i thought you could keep a still tongue1 the two of us might manage a pretty big deal4 ,it 'ud be a risky enough job1 but ,i know you don't stop at a trifle4 ,not me6 chuckled ,albert4 ,well1 ,i don't mind tellin' you that ,i was peepin' in under the blinds at the ,grange on the very night before old ,mr4 ,ledbury died4 ,and what did ye see8 ,never you mind what ,i saw exactly1 but all they panels aren't solid like the rest4 ,there be one as takes out4 ,wheer8 ,ain't ,i tellin' you8 ,in the room at the ,grange1 plump opposite the fireplace it were4 ,there's a knob as twists4 ,look here1 if you've a-set that noose proper1 why can't you be comin'8 ,do you expect me to be waitin' on you same as if you was ,captain ,gordon8 ,if we ain't quick the keepers will be comin'4 ,that ,morris always takes a round about dark1 that's what brought me out so early4 ,all right1 but as you was a-sayin'---- grunted ,albert1 his voice sinking to a murmur as he rose and followed his estimable friend farther into the wood1 where more snares might be set with advantage during the progress of their conversation4 ,when they judged the two men to be at a safe distance1 ,githa and ,gwethyn emerged from behind the bush1 and scurried away along the path as fast as the gathering dusk would permit4 ,so anxious were they to get out of the wood1 that neither spoke a word until they had reached the farther side1 and1 climbing the fence1 found themselves once more in the fields below ,the ,gables4 ,it was the ,gartley children's father1 exclaimed ,gwethyn1 taking ,githa's arm1 not so much for protection as for a sense of companionship in the dark4 ,i've always heard he's a dreadful poacher4 ,i think he's such a hateful1 insolent kind of man4 ,i'm thankful he didn't see us4 ,so am ,i4 ,it will serve them right if the keepers catch them4 ,could you understand what they were talking about8 ,you mean what they said about ,grandfather and the ,grange8 ,it was most mysterious4 ,gartley certainly dropped a hint about a panel4 ,yes1 but ,i couldn't make out the rest1 or what he wanted ,albert to help him with4 ,you don't think that your grandfather could have hidden some money in the panelling1 and that ,bob ,gartley saw him do it8 ,if he did1 the money certainly wouldn't be there now6 ,considering the house has been empty for about three years1 ,gartley must have had every opportunity of going in and taking it1 and ,i scarcely think he'd be restrained by conscientious scruples4 ,hardly6 ,no1 there was something more--some secret that he didn't want to tell even to ',albert'4 ,if only they hadn't gone away just at that identical minute6 groaned ,gwethyn4 ,it was too tantalizing1 when we seemed on the very point of learning something4 ,it must be important1 or he wouldn't make such a mystery of it1 and talk about its being to his advantage4 ,do you think his wife knows1 and that we could get her to tell us8 ,no1 she's too much afraid of him4 ,but if we tried bribery and corruption8 ,he himself might perhaps be induced to part with the information4 ,he spoke of a 'risky job'1 which certainly means something dishonest4 ,in that case ,i'm sure he wouldn't reveal a word4 ,if we were to tell the police1 could they make him confess8 ,no1 he'd simply deny everything flatly4 ,then what can we do8 ,nothing as regards him1 ,i'm afraid4 ,we might as well investigate at the ,grange1 though4 ,shall we get up early to-morrow1 and ride over on our bikes before breakfast8 ,i don't suppose we shall find anything1 but if you like we'll go and look4 ,i'm your man6 responded ,gwethyn eagerly4 ,of the two girls ,gwethyn was the more excited4 ,her romantic imagination at once made her plan all sorts of delightful possibilities4 ,they were to find an immense fortune at the ,grange1 of which her friend would be the heiress6 ,who knew what treasures might be hoarded somewhere behind the panelling8 ,githa1 whose natural disposition was not sanguine1 and who had already tasted some of the hard experiences of life1 shook her head at her school-mate's golden dreams1 and stuck to her former contention--if ,bob ,gartley was aware that money was hidden in the old house1 he certainly would not have let it remain there for long4 ,nevertheless1 ,githa was anxious to explore1 just to satisfy herself that there was really nothing to find4 ,she would not admit the weakness1 however1 and pretended that the early morning expedition was a concession to her friend's impatience4 ,the girls decided not to tell a word to anybody of what they had overheard4 ,they did not mention to ,mrs4 ,ledbury that they had been in the plantation2 and ,githa1 when reproved by her aunt for staying out so late1 merely explained that she had been showing ,gwethyn the church4 ,with an injunction to keep to the garden in future after supper1 ,mrs4 ,ledbury passed the matter over4 ,githa was a habitual early riser1 but next morning she excelled herself1 and called her friend almost as soon as it was light4 ,at five o'clock they were getting their bicycles from the stable4 ,githa1 mindful of her pets' healthy appetites1 chalked a notice on the door asking the gardener to feed them as soon as he arrived4 ,i haven't time now1 but they may be getting hungry for their breakfasts before we are back1 she said2 and the fowls ought to be let out4 ,tom will attend to them1 ,i know4 ,the ride through the fresh morning air was very pleasant4 ,the girls felt so fit that they raced along1 making nothing of hills1 and covered the distance in record time4 ,the dew was still heavy on the grass as they went up the drive to the empty old house4 ,since ,cedric's sojourn there neither had been near the place1 and apparently nobody else had disturbed the solitude4 ,in spite of agents' tempting advertisements no possible tenant had even come to look at its attractions4 ,the vestibule window still stood open2 an enterprising piece of clematis had made entrance1 and had grown at least a yard inside1 and a robin was flying about in the passage4 ,the girls went at once to the wainscoted room that had been old ,mr4 ,ledbury's library4 ,now ,i wonder if ,bob ,gartley was telling the truth or not8 queried ,githa4 ,he said 'exactly opposite the fireplace'1 and 'a knob that twists'1 said ,gwethyn1 tapping the panels critically with her knuckles4 ,what does he mean by knobs8 ,there aren't any4 ,unless he called these rosettes in the scrollwork knobs6 ,part of the panelling was beautifully carved1 with a twisting conventional design3 no part of it protruded sufficiently to merit the title of knob1 but at intervals there were round objects1 possibly intended to represent roses4 ,they did not look encouraging1 but1 beginning with the end near the window1 ,githa carefully tested each one4 ,the first eleven were part and parcel of the solid woodwork1 but the twelfth moved2 it turned round fairly easily when she twisted it1 evidently unlatching some catch1 for the panel below fell open like a door1 revealing a small hole or cupboard4 ,not altogether surprised1 the girls peeped eagerly inside4 ,nothing--as ,i thought6 exclaimed ,githa4 ,only a thick coat of dust4 ,i never imagined there would be anything4 ,certainly not if ,bob ,gartley knew anything of it4 ,no1 it hardly seemed likely1 faltered ,gwethyn1 but ,i'm disappointed all the same4 ,move just an inch1 and let me put in my hand4 ,oh yes1 ,i know it's useless1 but ,i'm an obstinate person and like my own way4 ,i want to feel the inside4 ,it's uncommonly dirty--and it's absolutely empty4 ,no6 ,what's this8 ,why1 ,githa1 look6 ,i actually have found something after all4 ,the object which ,gwethyn had discovered in the dust of the cupboard behind the panels was neither beautiful nor important1 only a small key of such an ordinary pattern that it evidently could not claim any interest on the score of antiquity4 ,not much of a find1 ,i'm afraid1 she mourned4 ,just something that has been overlooked when the place was cleared out4 ,i don't suppose the panel was a very dead secret2 it opens so easily that the servants would probably find it when they polished the woodwork4 ,i never knew of it1 said ,githa4 ,i wonder how ,bob ,gartley knew of it1 though1 and why he seemed to think it rather a valuable piece of information8 ,yes1 that's decidedly puzzling1 except that sometimes uneducated people like to make an absurd mystery over simple things1 just to increase their own importance4 ,perhaps he wanted to rouse ,albert's curiosity4 ,he succeeded in rousing ours1 at any rate4 ,and we haven't gratified it4 ,a key without a lock is a rather useless discovery4 ,i shall take it1 though1 and keep it carefully1 in case it ever turns out to be of any use4 ,well1 we've found the precious panel1 but no fortune6 ,it's rather a swindle6 ,only exactly what ,i expected4 ,i wanted to come just for the satisfaction of seeing there was nothing4 ,we've had a ripping ride1 at any rate6 ,yes2 and we'd better be going home again now4 ,come along and get our bikes4 ,,chapter ,,xix ,an ,accident ,after breakfast ,githa and ,gwethyn1 having the whole of ,saturday morning at their disposal1 resolved to go mushrooming4 ,the warm weather had brought out a fairly plentiful crop1 and they hoped1 by diligent searching1 to be able to fill at least a small can4 ,the pastures were generally scoured early by people from the village1 who sold the mushrooms in ,carford at a good price4 ,we ought to have thought of it first thing1 when we were riding to the ,grange1 said ,githa4 ,i'm afraid we shall find the best places have been cleared4 ,to get mushrooms one almost has to sit up all night and watch them grow4 ,everybody's so keen on them just now4 ,still1 ,i think ,i know of one or two fields that are worth going to1 on the chance that no one else has been there already4 ,the meadows which ,githa proposed to visit lay near the river1 about half-way between ,the ,gables and ,heathwell4 ,the prospect of finding mushrooms there was rendered more promising on this particular day because most of the village children were helping to gather the bean harvest1 and would therefore be busily employed elsewhere4 ,the ,july heat was already ripening some of the corn1 and before long the reapers would be at work4 ,it's a pity gleaning has gone so completely1 said ,gwethyn2 it must have looked so delightfully romantic4 ,none of the village people are half so picturesque as those in the old pictures4 ,even ,mrs4 ,gartley wears a dilapidated but still fashionable hat1 which she bought at a rummage sale1 and ,mrs4 ,blundell's daughter makes hay in the relics of a once gorgeous evening blouse and a voile skirt1 instead of a print bed-gown and striped petticoat4 ,i suppose people must keep pace with the times1 but from an artistic point of view ,i wish their clothes were more suitable to their occupations4 ,it's no use mourning over vanished customs4 ,we don't defy the fashions and appear in ,sir ,joshua ,reynolds costumes4 ,granny ,blundell1 at any rate1 is picturesque in her apron and sun-bonnet4 ,she made a splendid model for ,katrine's picture of the old spice cupboard4 ,the cupboard she's stolen from you6 ,no1 no6 ,she bought it fairly and squarely from ,mrs4 ,stubbs4 ,as ,i told you before1 ,i'm glad for her to have it1 since ,i can't have it myself4 ,how hot it's getting6 ,i believe ,i'm tired with going out riding so early4 ,i shall feel in better spirits when ,i've found some mushrooms4 ,a penny for the first who sees any6 ,and who's to give the penny8 ,why1 the other1 of course6 ,suppose one sees the mushroom and the other picks it4 ,what then8 ,oh1 ,i don't know6 ,it would be like the fable of the two boys and the walnut4 ,and what do 'toadstools' count8 asked ,gwethyn mischievously4 ,a penny on the wrong side1 decidedly4 ,the best and richest meadows for mushrooms lay a little distance from the highroad1 in a hollow not far from the bank of the river1 and beyond a coppice which was enclosed with wire-fencing and strictly preserved4 ,a pathway led through the edge of this wood1 and the girls1 anxious to avail themselves of a short cut1 turned their steps in that direction4 ,githa1 who was walking first1 stopped for a moment to admire a lovely clump of silver birches which1 with gleaming white stems and shimmering leaves1 stood as outposts of the wood4 ,a blackbird--always the sentinel of the wild--flew from the hedge1 clattering a noisy warning of her approach1 and roused a cock pheasant1 that whirred almost over her head in his flight for the open4 ,laughing at the start it gave her1 she climbed lightly up the steps of the stile1 but at the top she paused1 and suddenly drew back1 all her merriment gone in a flash4 ,from the farther side of the fence1 down among the bracken and the brambles1 she had heard a groan1 an unmistakably human groan1 with a faint cry after it that sounded something like ,help6 ,gwethyn1 she said1 with a decided tremble in her voice1 ,i believe there's somebody lying down there6 ,is there8 ,let me look6 ,oh1 ,i say6 ,it's a man1 and ,i'm afraid he's hurt4 ,illustration3 ',i ,,believe ,i',,ve ,,broken ,,my ,,leg1' ,,he ,,moaned ,gwethyn did not delay a moment to hop after ,githa over the stile4 ,a figure in corduroy trousers and an old tweed jacket lay prostrate in the hedge bottom4 ,at first sight the girls feared he was drunk1 but one glance at his white face showed that he needed their help4 ,he raised himself rather shakily upon his elbow as they made their appearance4 ,his cheeks were drawn with pain1 and his eyes were like those of a snared animal2 but they had no difficulty in recognizing ,bob ,gartley4 ,what's the matter8 ,have you hurt yourself8 asked ,githa briefly4 ,oh6 ,thank goodness anyone's come6 ,i believe ,i've broken my leg1 he moaned4 ,did you fall8 ,yes1 and ,i can't move an inch1 not even to drag myself along4 ,i've been lying here all night1 and ,i thought ,i was goin' to die like a rabbit in a trap4 ,i shouted and shouted1 but there weren't no one to hear1 and then ,i couldn't shout no more4 ,i'd give the world for a drop of water1 he added feebly1 sinking back on the bracken1 and half-closing his eyes4 ,i'll fetch some directly1 cried ,gwethyn1 seizing the can which they had brought as a receptacle for the mushrooms1 and rushing frantically in the direction of the river4 ,she was quite unused to illness1 and had never seen an accident before1 so ,bob ,gartley's haggard face filled her with alarm4 ,suppose he were to die out there in the wood1 before any aid could be secured6 ,the horror of the thought lent wings to her feet4 ,without stopping to consider her dread of bulls1 she climbed a high fence1 and plunging recklessly through a drove of formidable-looking bullocks1 reached the bank1 and dipped her tin in the river1 returning to the stile as quickly as she had come4 ,bob ,gartley was still alive--that was a mercy--but he was lying groaning in the most terrible manner4 ,githa1 looking very scared1 was supporting his head with her arm4 ,she seized the can from ,gwethyn1 and held it to his blue lips4 ,a long draught of the water seemed to revive him1 and he opened his eyes again4 ,how be ,i a-goin' to get home8 he asked plaintively4 ,the question roused ,githa to energy4 ,we must do something to your leg first1 she replied4 ,gwethyn1 remember our ,red ,cross work1 it's a case for first aid4 ,help me to find some sticks1 and we'll make splints4 ,i shall want your handkerchief1 and that scarf off your hat4 ,i'm so glad ,i put on a soft belt this morning--that will help6 ,it was easy enough to find sticks in the coppice for amateur splints1 and ,githa set to work with the best skill she could1 binding the pieces of wood firmly on each side of the broken leg1 with handkerchiefs1 ,bob's neck-tie1 ,gwethyn's scarf1 and her own belt4 ,the patient moaned considerably during the operation1 but he seemed on the whole grateful4 ,i might 'a died if you hadn't chanced to come by1 he remarked4 ,i've had a night of it6 ,how did you manage to fall8 asked ,gwethyn4 ,i don't know4 ,i suppose ,i caught my foot in the dark1 gettin' over yon stile4 ,githa forbore to ask for what purpose he had been visiting a game preserve at nightfall1 and turned her attention to the more imminent and practical consideration of how to convey him home4 ,i must fetch help at once1 she said4 ,i believe we're quite close to ,mr4 ,cooper's poultry farm4 ,i'll run there1 and try and get somebody to come4 ,do4 ,i'll stay here1 then1 with ,mr4 ,gartley1 for ,i don't think he ought to be left alone1 in case he turns faint again1 agreed ,gwethyn4 ,this poultry farm was within sight1 at the top of a small hill4 ,it was certainly the nearest place at hand4 ,githa made a bee-line for it1 through hedges and over hurdles4 ,if she tramped across the corner of a cornfield1 her errand was her excuse4 ,arrived at the house1 she seized the knocker1 and gave1 in her nervousness1 a tremendously rousing rap-tap4 ,the door was opened by ,mr4 ,cooper himself4 ,oh1 please1 there's been an accident6 gasped ,githa in tones of tragic staccato4 ,bob ,gartley has broken his leg4 ,he's down in the wood there1 and we don't know what to do4 ,can you come8 ,whew6 ,that's a bad job4 ,of course ,i'll come4 ,perhaps ,i'd better bring a little brandy with me4 ,yes1 and something to carry him on1 for it will be the dickens to move him4 ,my man will help2 he's round now with the hens4 ,between us1 ,i should think we ought to be able to manage it2 and if not1 we can fetch somebody from ,pratt's farm4 ,perhaps ,i can carry something1 said ,githa4 ,could ,i hurry back first with the brandy8 ,no1 no6 ,if you don't mind waiting a second1 ,i'll come with you4 ,i don't know where the fellow is4 ,he's lying just by the stile that leads into the wood4 ,you couldn't miss the place4 ,right-o6 ,hello1 ,jack6 ,are you there8 ,i want you4 ,bring two long broom-handles1 and follow me down to the birch coppice4 ,no1 never mind the hens at present1 they'll have to wait4 ,leaving ,githa for a moment on the door-step1 ,mr4 ,cooper darted into his farm-house1 emerging in an incredibly short space of time with a flask in his hand and a blanket flung over his arm4 ,it's ,bob ,gartley1 you say8 he commented4 ,oh1 yes6 ,i know the fellow well enough--a disreputable scamp he is1 too6 ,he was in the coppice for no good1 you may be sure4 ,still1 of course1 we can't leave him there1 though it will be a doubtful benefit to his wife and family to cart him back with a broken leg4 ,if you consulted the gamekeeper1 ,i expect he'd prefer nailing him to a corner of the lodge1 in company with a choice collection of stoats1 hawks1 and owls4 ,he certainly classes poachers under the head of vermin4 ,they found ,gwethyn looking out anxiously for them1 and much relieved at their arrival4 ,her patient had fainted after ,githa left1 and she had been obliged to fetch more water from the river to revive him4 ,he was conscious now1 but very weak1 and scarcely able to speak4 ,we'll soon have him home1 said ,mr4 ,cooper1 pouring a few spoonfuls of the brandy between his lips4 ,this will bring him round a little1 you'll see4 ,oh6 ,there you are1 ,jack6 ,got the broom-sticks8 ,that's all right4 ,now we must manage to make a litter4 ,mr4 ,cooper undoubtedly had a head upon his shoulders1 and knew exactly how to manage in the circumstances4 ,he spread the blanket on the ground1 and with ,jack's assistance lifted ,bob ,gartley on to it2 then rolling each side tightly along a broom handle1 he contrived a kind of hammock1 on which it was possible to carry the unfortunate man4 ,the first and greatest difficulty was to get him out of the wood4 ,it was hopeless to think of lifting him over the stile1 so they were obliged to beat down the hedge1 and make a gap sufficiently wide to admit their ambulance4 ,we must explain it to the keeper afterwards1 said ,mr4 ,cooper4 ,it will be comparatively easy now across the fields4 ,step with me1 ,jack1 and perhaps we shan't shake him so much4 ,the poor chap's in awful pain4 ,now then--left1 right1 left1 right6 ,we'll get him to the road1 and then call at ,pratt's farm1 and ask them to lend their cart4 ,it would be difficult to carry him all the way to ,heathwell4 ,the sooner he's home and the doctor can set his leg the better1 though ,i must say this first aid has been splendid4 ,if one of you young ladies don't mind taking the flask out of my pocket1 you might moisten his lips with the brandy2 he looks as if he were going to faint again4 ,the people at ,pratt's farm were busy haymaking1 but they put down their rakes in stolid astonishment at the news of the accident1 and after turning the matter over for a short time in their rustic brains1 agreed to lend their horse and cart to convey the invalid home4 ,we'll put a good layer of straw for him to lie on1 said ,mrs4 ,pratt4 ,it'll save him from the jolting a bit4 ,yes1 he be too big and heavy to carry all the way to ,heathwell on that blanket4 ,my goodness6 ,he do look bad4 ,i shouldn't be surprised to see him took4 ,lor'6 ,it'll need be a warning to him if he pulls round4 ,so it will1 for sure6 ,it's sent as a judgment without doubt1 agreed ,mr4 ,pratt1 gazing with contemplative interest at the moaning victim1 laid temporarily by the roadside4 ,i wish they'd think less about warnings and judgments1 and be a little quicker with the cart1 whispered ,githa4 ,i'll offer to help them get it ready1 that will probably hurry them1 replied ,mr4 ,cooper4 ,country people have no idea of the value of time in these cases1 or1 indeed1 in any matter at all1 as ,i often find to my cost4 ,after what seemed an incredible waste of precious minutes1 the cart was at last brought out1 and ,bob lifted on to the pile of straw4 ,sending his man back to feed the hens1 ,mr4 ,cooper decided to ride himself with the invalid1 while ,githa and ,gwethyn ran on to warn ,mrs4 ,gartley of what had occurred4 ,they found the poor woman in a state of indescribable muddle1 doing some belated washing4 ,gwethyn1 with a promise of sweets1 managed to cajole all the little ones from the cottage1 while ,githa broke the news as gently as she could to the mother4 ,i knew it 'ud come to this some day6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,gartley1 flinging her apron over her head1 and collapsing in tears on to a chair4 ,i've told him fifty times1 if ,i've told him once1 there'd no good happen from the way he was carrying on1 but he never would listen to ,i6 ,have you got everything ready for him8 asked ,githa4 ,he ought to lie on a mattress1 not a soft bed1 ,mr4 ,cooper says4 ,i can hear the cart coming now4 ,as soon as they've brought him in1 we must send a messenger for the doctor4 ,it was such a limp1 moaning burden which was carried upstairs1 that ,mrs4 ,gartley broke into frantic hysterical sobs at the sight1 and was no more use than the children1 who1 scenting the fact that for some reason they were being kept out of the way1 evaded ,gwethyn's blandishments1 and tore back into the cottage4 ,the men1 however1 made the poor fellow as comfortable as they could1 and so many neighbours began to arrive that there was soon far more help than was necessary4 ,we may as well go1 said ,mr4 ,cooper to the two girls4 ,we've done all we can1 and he'll have to wait now for the doctor4 ,bob was lying quite still1 with his eyes shut1 and his face as white as his pillow1 but he evidently heard that1 for he roused himself4 ,if it hadn't a-been for you1 ,i'd ha' died in the wood1 he said4 ,i shan't forget4 ,githa and ,gwethyn had gathered not a single mushroom1 but they were much too excited even to think about them4 ,they ran up to ,aireyholme to tell their news before they walked back to ,the ,gables1 and ,miss ,aubrey promised to go at once to the ,gartleys' cottage1 to render what aid she could4 ,mrs4 ,ledbury also was much concerned when she heard the girls' report of their morning's adventure1 and sent during the afternoon to inquire about the invalid4 ,he's a bad lot1 that ,bob ,gartley1 said ,mr4 ,ledbury2 ,i have more than a suspicion that he comes poaching into my woods4 ,i've seen him skulking about once or twice4 ,still1 in the name of humanity1 you're bound to help a man1 even if you find him with a hare in one pocket and a cock pheasant in the other4 ,you can't let him lie with a broken leg4 ,i'm sorry for his wife1 poor thing6 ,,chapter ,,xx ,bob ,gartley ,explains ,the prospects of the ,gartley family at present were certainly not of a rosy description4 ,with her husband in bed1 ,mrs4 ,gartley could not go out to work1 and her household was obliged to subsist as best it could on charity4 ,the parish allowed some outdoor relief1 which was supplemented by doles from the ,church funds1 and neighbours1 now that there was the excuse of real sickness1 were kind in giving practical help4 ,there was no danger of actual starvation1 though luxuries were out of the question4 ,laid by the heels1 with no exciting expeditions to break the monotony of his days1 ,mr4 ,bob ,gartley alternately pitied himself and railed at fate4 ,he was a fractious invalid1 and spared his wife neither time nor trouble in attending to his wants4 ,he be worse nor a baby6 she complained to her friends4 ,i've only to get him settled and go downstairs and begin a bit o' washin'1 when there he is hollerin' for me again1 and all about naught4 ,i fair lose my patience sometimes1 but he keeps a boot handy under his pillow1 ready to fling at ,i if ,i crosses him1 and he be such a good shot he never misses1 duck as ,i will4 ,the exactions of her lord and master kept ,mrs4 ,gartley so busy that her family lived more than ever in the road1 escaping passing motors by a miracle1 and receiving chance meals from anybody who had fragments to spare--a practice rather sniffed at by some of the neighbours4 ,not as ,i've any wish to see 'em go wantin'1 remarked ,mrs4 ,blundell1 but ,i think they're doin' better now than when their father had his health4 ,hungry8 ,why1 yes--they'd always be ready to eat sweet stuff at any hour of day4 ,that don't prove they be in need4 ,as for ,bob ,gartley1 he must be livin' like a fightin' cock with all they basins of broth and pots of jelly4 ,he'll want to break his leg again when times is bad4 ,lying in his stuffy little bedroom1 ,mr4 ,gartley had leisure to consider his circumstances and air his views4 ,he carefully compared the various viands that were sent him1 with criticisms on the culinary skill of the donors4 ,don't bring me no more broth6 he said to his wife one afternoon2 ,i'm sick of the very sight of it4 ,might as well be in hospital4 ,why can't you get me a scrap of liver and bacon8 ,doctor said we wasn't to give you that on no account1 objected ,mrs4 ,gartley4 ,i wish they had taken you to hospital while they was about it4 ,if it had been ,i1 ,i'd have jumped at goin'4 ,shows how much you knows about it6 ,why1 when ,i was in the infirmary they washed me all over every day6 ,yes1 it's the truth ,i'm tellin' you6 ,and they left windows open all day long1 and wouldn't allow me a smoke1 or even a chew of 'baccy4 ,no more hospitals1 says ,i6 ,take that broth away1 can't you8 ,ain't there any jelly in the house8 ,no1 the pot's empty4 ,then you've let those brats get at it6 ,i ain't4 ,you've had it all yourself4 ,maybe they'll be sending some more from somewheres4 ,like enough2 but you won't get much more from ,aireyholme4 ,why not8 asked ,mr4 ,gartley much aggrieved4 ,because the young ladies is going away next week4 ,oh1 it's their holidays1 is it8 ,aye2 the school's always shut up in holiday time4 ,miss ,aubrey and ,mrs4 ,franklin goes away too4 ,the news appeared to make ,bob thoughtful1 and he pondered over it for a few moments4 ,i suppose that young lady'll be takin' that little cupboard with her1 he remarked at last4 ,what little cupboard8 ,why1 you stupid1 the one as she put in the picture with ,granny ,blundell and our ,hugh4 ,she'd bought it from ,mrs4 ,stubbs4 ,oh1 ,i remember4 ,yes1 if she's bought it and paid for it1 of course she'll be takin' it with her4 ,it's hard for a poor man to be tied to his bed as helpless as a log6 groaned ,bob4 ,goodness knows what she'll do with it if she takes it away6 ,sell it again1 maybe4 ,anyways1 ,i shall be off the track of it4 ,what do you mean8 queried his wife4 ,i can't see as you've got aught to do with ,miss ,marsden's cupboard4 ,you never could see farther than your nose1 ,jane4 ,some of they young ladies has been very good to a poor man4 ,i'd a-died if they hadn't found me in the wood4 ,why1 yes1 ,i know that6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,gartley1 immensely amazed at such an unwonted outburst of gratitude4 ,it might be good for a fiver1 murmured ,bob4 ,that's little enough1 but it would be better than missin' everything4 ,look here1 ,jane4 ,send ,mary across to ,aireyholme1 and tell her to say ,i'd like to see ,miss ,hamilton on a bit of special business4 ,what's it all about8 asked ,mrs4 ,gartley inquisitively4 ,never you mind4 ,leave that to me1 and send the child as ,i tell you4 ,little ,mary ,gartley arrived with her message soon after four o'clock1 just as ,githa was leaving school4 ,gwethyn was walking with her down the drive1 being in fact on her way to the ,gartleys' cottage to leave a basketful of fruit from ,mrs4 ,franklin4 ,both girls were much astonished at the summons4 ,are you sure your father wants me8 asked ,githa4 ,yes1 miss4 ,he said most particular as it was ,miss ,hamilton4 ,come with me1 ,gwethyn6 begged ,githa4 ,you have to call at the door1 in any case4 ,i'm sure ,mrs4 ,franklin wouldn't mind your going in4 ,perhaps ,mr4 ,gartley wants to thank us for our ',first ,aid'4 ,i don't like going alone4 ,all serene6 returned ,gwethyn1 whose curiosity was considerably aroused4 ,he do be askin' for you1 said ,mrs4 ,gartley1 who greeted the girls at the door4 ,what's come over him passes me1 but he's set on seein' you4 ,it's a poor place upstairs1 and ,i've not had time lately for cleanin'2 still1 if you wouldn't mind steppin' up---- ,oh1 it's all right6 said ,githa1 stopping the apologies4 ,will you go first to show us the way8 ,well1 ,mr4 ,gartley1 as they entered the room1 you look a little better than when we saw you last4 ,i might easy do that1 replied ,bob2 then turning to his wife1 he whispered3 ,chuck they brats downstairs1 we don't want 'em listenin' here4 ,mrs4 ,gartley hastened to put to flight five of her offspring who had followed the interesting visitors1 and having administered chastisement1 and locked them out of the house1 returned panting from the fray1 fearful of missing the least detail of the conference4 ,when his audience was ranged conveniently round his bedside1 ,bob ,gartley1 greatly enjoying the sense of his own importance1 opened the conversation4 ,i sent for you1 ,miss ,hamilton1 he began1 because there's a something ,i've had on my mind4 ,you done me a good turn1 and ,i'd be ready to do a turn back4 ,suppose1 now1 as ,i had a bit of information that might mean a deal to you1 ,i reckon as you'd be glad to get hold of it8 ,i've no doubt ,i should1 replied ,githa1 if it's anything worth knowing4 ,it be well worth knowing4 ,don't you have no fear on that score4 ,it might be the makin' of you1 and it would clear up a mystery1 too4 ,what do you mean8 asked ,githa quickly4 ,i'm a poor man1 returned ,mr4 ,gartley evasively4 ,i've a big family to keep1 and ,i wears myself out with strivin' for 'em4 ,it 'ud be worth anybody's while to know what ,i knows1 but the question is whether it 'ud be worth my while to let on4 ,maybe ,i'd best keep my information to myself4 ,suppose it were made worth your while to tell it8 returned ,githa1 grasping the situation4 ,ah6 that 'ud be a horse of another colour4 ,i be grateful for what you've a-done for me--don't you be mistakin' me on that point--but ,i can't afford to be givin' away gratis what ought to be good for golden sovereigns4 ,how many do you want8 inquired ,githa4 ,i've no wish to seem graspin'1 replied ,bob virtuously4 ,no one can accuse me of tryin' to get more than my dues1 but ,i'm not denyin' as five pounds would be a very handy little sum just at present1 as circumstances is rather awkward4 ,i have five pounds in the ,savings ,bank2 you shall have it if you really have any information to give me4 ,you shall be judge of that1 and ,i reckon you'll be surprised when you hear what ,i've got to tell4 ,jane1 is there anyone a-listenin' on the stairs8 ,not a soul1 and the door's locked1 said ,mrs4 ,gartley1 who stood by1 consumed with curiosity1 and almost more eager than the girls for the coming revelations4 ,that be all right1 then4 ,i don't hold with eavesdroppin'4 ,i were always taught as it were mean and underhand4 ,it was five quid as we mentioned1 wasn't it8 ,thanks4 ,there ain't nothing like bein' sure of one's ground4 ,well1 as you're really anxious to know what ,i knows1 ,i'll tell you4 ,it were three years ago come last ,march1 and ,i happened to be out one night after a little bit of business of my own which took me round by the ,grange4 ,it were quite late1 maybe between twelve and one o'clock1 and ,i were in a hurry to get back to my family1 so ,i makes a short cut through the garden4 ,all the house were shut up and dark1 and it were plain as everyone was in bed1 so ,i says to myself4 ,when ,i comes round the corner1 though1 if ,i don't see a light in one of the lower windows4 ,as ,i goes past1 ,i noticed that though the blind were down1 it weren't drawn full to the bottom1 and there was a chink of about half an inch left4 ,i'm a man as takes a kind of interest in my neighbours1 so ,i puts my eye to it1 curious-like1 and ,i gets a very good view into the room4 ,there was old ,mr4 ,ledbury1 standin' by the fireplace1 and he were turnin' over some papers in his hand4 ,i'd take my ,bible oath they was bank-notes4 ,he counted 'em1 careful-like1 and put 'em inside an envelope4 ,then what does he do but go across the room--me watching him all the time at my peep-hole--and he twists a knob round1 and opens one of the panels in the wall4 ,he looks at it as if he was goin' to put the papers in there2 then he seems to change his mind1 he shakes his head and shuts it up again1 and goes over to t'other side of the room1 where there was a little oak cupboard4 ,i could see him as plain as ,i sees you now4 ,there was small drawers in that cupboard1 and an empty space in the middle of 'em4 ,he slides a piece of wood aside there1 and takes a key from his pocket1 and unlocks a little door at the back among the drawers1 and he puts the envelope in there1 and locks it up again4 ,then he goes back to his arm-chair by the fireside4 ',bob ,gartley1' ,i says to myself1 'maybe you've found out something to-night1 and maybe you haven't1 but you'd best keep a still tongue in your head4' ,so ,i never tells no one1 not even my missis here4 ,that you didn't6 agreed ,mrs4 ,gartley4 ,i'd be the last you'd tell4 ,i can't make out what you're drivin' at4 ,you wait and see1 and you'll find out fast enough4 ,that night as ,i looked through the window was the very one afore old ,mr4 ,ledbury was took bad and died4 ,when it came to readin' his will1 there was a lot of talk in the village1 and folks said as a big sum of money were missing1 and couldn't be traced nohow1 and he must have gambled it away4 ,i'd my own ideas on the subject4 ,but didn't you tell anybody8 gasped ,githa4 ,not ,i6 ,it weren't none of my business4 ,i'd enough trouble on my own account just then1 for me to want to be mixed up in anyone else's affairs4 ,i remember6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,gartley4 ,you was doin' time4 ,you got three months hard for puttin' a bullet through the keeper's hat4 ,it don't matter what ,i were doin'1 said ,bob sulkily4 ,at any rate1 ,i'd an engagement wot kept me from puttin' myself in a public position4 ,when ,i gets back to ,heathwell1 do you think ,i were anxious to go and interview ,mr4 ,wilfred ,ledbury just then1 and tell him my views8 ,no1 ,i'd had enough of lawyers for the present4 ,they was inclined to doubt my word1 somehow1 and it hurts an honest man's feelin's to be told as he's a liar4 ,i thought ,i'd keep my eye1 though1 on that little cupboard1 but ,i found there'd been an auction1 and it were sold4 ,i couldn't get on the track of it1 do what ,i would1 or hear who'd a-got it1 and ,i gives it up as a bad job4 ,then one day that young lady comes into the house paintin' our ,hugh4 ,there were an oak cupboard in her picture1 and ,i knows it again in a minute4 ,you don't mean to say---- cried ,gwethyn1 springing to her feet4 ,aye1 but ,i do6 ,that be the very one as ,i sees old ,mr4 ,ledbury put the envelope inside6 99 99 99 99 99 ,gwethyn and ,githa left the cottage in a state of the wildest excitement4 ,they went straight back to school1 and ran upstairs to the studio4 ,fortunately no one was in the room1 so they were able at once to begin investigations on the little oak cupboard4 ,they pulled out all the small drawers1 and poked and pushed in every possible direction1 but not a sign of a secret hiding-place could they find4 ,the wood at the back of the recess in the middle seemed perfectly solid1 and could not be made to budge by the fraction of an inch4 ,they were very baffled and crest-fallen4 ,after their success in finding the moving panel at the ,grange1 it was the more particularly disappointing4 ,i suppose ,bob ,gartley really did see what he says he saw8 ventured ,githa rather doubtfully4 ,i wonder he never mentioned it before4 ,reading between the lines1 ,i should say he had two good reasons for his silence1 replied ,gwethyn4 ,he was probably at the ,grange that night on a dishonest errand1 and didn't want the matter investigated1 and also perhaps he thought he might find a chance some time to appropriate the notes4 ,he spoke very regretfully about them4 ,do you think it could have been he who tried to break into ,aireyholme8 ,i haven't the least doubt of it4 ,that scare happened soon after ,katrine had painted her picture of the cupboard4 ,it never struck anybody to connect the two4 ,he must have intended to get in through the dining-room window1 go upstairs to the studio1 and hunt about for himself4 ,he might have managed it1 if we hadn't had ,tony that night4 ,the darling roused us with his growling4 ,what was to be done next8 ,that was the important question4 ,if ,bob ,gartley's account were true1 and a secret place really existed1 probably the only way to find it would be to have a joiner up1 and get him to take the spice cupboard entirely to pieces4 ,but it was ,katrine's property1 and this could not be done without her permission4 ,she was out sketching this afternoon with ,miss ,aubrey4 ,gwethyn promised to broach the matter to her when she returned4 ,don't tell anybody else1 please1 said ,githa4 ,i'd rather this wasn't talked about in the school4 ,if there really are bank-notes inside this cupboard1 they won't be mine4 ,i suppose they'll be ,uncle ,wilfred's1 the same as all the rest of everything4 ,unless there were a will4 ,no such luck6 ,ceddie and ,i weren't born under fortunate stars4 ,i must be going home now1 it's most fearfully late4 ,don't forget it's the ,sports to-morrow6 ,rather not6 ,,chapter ,,xxi ,the ,sports ,the ,summer ,term at ,aireyholme always wound up with the ,sports4 ,they were as much of an institution as the dramatic performance given shortly before ,christmas4 ,the girls stuck to them with conservative zeal4 ,several times ,mrs4 ,franklin had suggested some other kind of fete to celebrate the close of the school year1 but concerts1 tennis tournaments1 or pastoral plays were alike rejected in favour of athletics4 ,for the last week the ,committee had been at work arranging the events and making copies of the programme4 ,the prizes were on view in the studio1 and were inspected with deep interest on the morning of the great day4 ,i can't think why you should make such a fuss about sports6 said ,katrine1 who was touching up some sketches1 and found her painting operations decidedly hindered by the crowd clustering round the table4 ,if you'd had an art competition1 now1 it would have been far nicer4 ,why didn't you8 ,because we've got to think of something to suit the whole school1 and not just a few hobbyists1 returned ,viola rather touchily4 ,you're absolutely obsessed with painting4 ,we monitresses take an all-round view1 and consider the general good4 ,isn't it for the general good to elevate public taste8 asked ,katrine1 who never missed an opportunity of arguing with ,viola4 ,certainly2 but it's not fair on an occasion like this to have a competition for which only an elect number are eligible4 ,sports are democratic things4 ,every one has the same chance4 ,now there ,i don't agree with you4 ,some girls are better at running and jumping1 just as others are cleverer at music or painting4 ,sports aren't a scrap more democratic1 really2 they only offer a different field of battle4 ,your artistic genius may be a duffer at a sack race1 and your crack pianist a butter-fingers with a ball4 ,you must admit that6 ,i shan't admit anything of the sort4 ,it's well known in every school that athletics are the fairest things going4 ,that's why they're so popular4 ,but from your own reasoning---- ,oh1 ,i say1 stop--for the sake of peace6 interrupted ,diana4 ,we're going to have the ,sports1 so what's the good of barging about them8 ,if you'd write a few extra programmes1 ,katrine ,marsden1 instead of giving your opinions1 there'd be some sense in it4 ,i thought you had enough4 ,we could do with half a dozen more4 ,it's horrid to be short2 and extra visitors sometimes turn up4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it was the tradition of the school that the summer fete should be held on the last ,saturday in ,july4 ,though not the actual breaking-up day1 in the estimation of the girls it was almost as good4 ,after ,friday's classes there were no more lessons2 ,monday would be devoted to packing1 and on ,tuesday all would be speeding away by train to different points of the compass4 ,it was a kind of do-as-you-please day2 rules were relaxed1 and everybody made the most of the holiday4 ,a band of helpers1 under the superintendence of the ,games ,committee1 spent the greater part of the morning preparing the playing-field1 forms were carried out to accommodate the spectators1 hurdles and other obstacles were arranged1 and the ground for the long jump freshly raked4 ,it's frightfully rough on ,coralie that she mayn't compete this year6 said ,hilda ,smart4 ,she's something wrong with her heart1 ,i believe2 anyhow1 the doctor has absolutely forbidden it4 ,poor old ,corrie6 ,she's so disappointed6 ,she was ever so keen on winning a medal4 ,she'll just have to sit and watch1 like a visitor4 ,and ,tita has blistered her foot1 and can't run1 so two of us are off1 commented ,diana4 ,it's hard luck on the ,sixth6 ,never mind2 we've got ,gladwin and ,ellaline6 ,they'll have to brace up for the credit of the form4 ,trust them6 ,but some of the ,fifth are ,a#a1 and may steal a march on us4 ,not while ,dorrie ,vernon's alive6 ,i'd back her against anybody4 ,has ,katrine ,marsden put her name down for anything8 ,only for the bicycle race4 ,she thinks the other competitions hoydenish6 ,if you'd called them ,olympic contests1 and required candidates to come attired in ancient ,greek costumes1 she'd have been madly enthusiastic6 grinned ,diana4 ,much jumping one would do in classic draperies6 sniffed ,hilda scornfully4 ,what does that kid want hallooing at us over there8 ,novie ,bates was running down the field yelling at the pitch of her voice for ,diana4 ,you're to come--at once6 she shouted4 ,mrs4 ,franklin wants you4 ,i saw the telegraph boy coming up the drive4 ,diana promptly dropped her rake1 and fled towards the house1 followed by ,hilda and the rest4 ,on this most propitious day the results of the ,matriculation ,examination might be expected to be published1 and the three candidates were on the qui vive for news4 ,mrs4 ,franklin was standing by the front door1 with the yellow envelope in her hand1 but she did not divulge its contents until ,dorrie and ,viola also came hurrying up4 ,all passed4 ,viola first division1 ,diana and ,dorrie in the second4 ,the welcome information was handed on from girl to girl1 till in a few minutes everybody in the school knew of it1 and ran to offer congratulations to the heroines of the hour4 ,the ,principal1 who had always considered ,diana's mathematics shaky1 was looking immensely relieved4 ,it was a triumph that all were through1 and a very happy finish for the term4 ,last year two out of the five candidates had failed1 a deep humiliation to ,mrs4 ,franklin2 but this success restored the credit of ,aireyholme4 ,it put everybody in a good temper1 and made quite a gala atmosphere in the establishment4 ,the monitresses took their laurels with an air of dignified humility4 ,they were gratified1 but left the rejoicing to their friends4 ,of course1 when you've worked for a thing1 it's a comfort to pass1 admitted ,viola1 with would-be nonchalance4 ,if ,i'd got a ,first ,div4 ,i'd be too proud to know what to do with myself6 declared ,laura ,browne ecstatically4 ,will your names be put in the newspapers8 asked ,yvonne with awed admiration4 ,we ought to run up a special flag6 suggested ,jill ,barton4 ,there6 ,that's enough cock-a-doodling on our behalf6 said ,viola4 ,some of the rest of you must do credit to the school this afternoon4 ,i hope you're all in good form4 ,don't go tearing about the place1 and getting yourselves too hot beforehand4 ,it's a waste of superfluous energy6 ,the ,sports were to begin at half-past two1 and by that hour the competitors and the greater number of the spectators were in their places4 ,invitations had been sent to residents in the neighbourhood1 and though the visitors were not so many as on ,waterloo ,day1 there were quite enough to fill the seats which had been carried out for their accommodation4 ,githa arrived rather late4 ,it had been intended that she should motor over with her uncle and aunt1 but at the last moment ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,ledbury were delayed by a telegram1 the contents of which they did not disclose to her1 and she had set off on her bicycle4 ,by quick scorching she managed to join the ranks of the school just in the nick of time4 ,she waved to ,gwethyn1 but there was no opportunity of speaking1 for the girls were ranged according to their forms4 ,miss ,andrews and ,miss ,spencer were respectively to be starter and time-keeper1 and ,mr4 ,boswell and the ,vicar would act as judges4 ,the prizes1 arranged on a small table1 would be distributed by ,mrs4 ,boswell4 ,the ,patriotic ,league had been anxious to forgo prizes altogether1 and offer bouquets of flowers or crowns of laurel to the victors2 but this decision was overruled by ,mrs4 ,franklin1 who thought the school honour demanded at least a few inexpensive medals to grace the occasion4 ,i shall not get silver ones this year1 she had decreed2 but as we have the die1 the cost of metal ones will be comparatively trifling4 ,mrs4 ,boswell is very kindly giving the form trophy1 and ,mrs4 ,gordon the prize for the bicycle race4 ,miss ,aubrey1 the mistresses1 and myself wish to pay for the medals amongst us1 and the shillings which you girls usually subscribe can be sent either to the ,national ,relief ,fund or to the ,belgian ,fund1 whichever you choose4 ,this arrangement satisfied even the most patriotic conscience4 ,all had felt that the ,sports would not be complete without medals1 though they were heroically prepared to make the sacrifice4 ,the ,athletic ,prize badges were coveted distinctions at ,aireyholme1 and were treasured by their winners almost above the books generally awarded for successes in form examinations4 ,this summer the medals would be specially attractive1 for they would seem almost like military decorations4 ,each girl was wearing her form rosette--the ,sixth pink1 the ,fifth green1 and the ,fourth blue2 the monitresses in addition had white favours1 and the members of the ,games ,committee1 whose duty it was to keep order and marshal the competitors1 wore a ,c embroidered on a mauve ribbon4 ,the first event was the junior plain race4 ,the fifteen members of ,form ,,iv started with great enthusiasm1 and tore over the ground as rapidly as their respective running powers permitted4 ,big ,hebe ,bennett1 ,bertha ,grant--also fat and scant of breath--and ,myrtle ,goodwin were soon distanced by their more agile companions4 ,yvonne and ,melanie made a gallant struggle1 but fell behind1 and after an exciting heat between ,garnet ,adams and ,gwendolen ,jackson1 ended by ,nora ,parnell making a sudden spurt and beating them both4 ,in the higher forms ,megan ,owen and ,ellaline ,dickens proved the ,atalantas4 ,megan1 though short and stoutly built1 was remarkably swift-footed1 and ,ellaline1 tall and willowy1 covered the ground at a swinging pace that distanced even ,dorrie ,vernon1 the crack champion of the ,sixth4 ,dorrie redeemed her character1 however1 in the next event2 her record in the long jump was the highest ever known at ,aireyholme1 it evoked loud cheers1 and she retired with the satisfaction of knowing that her feat would be duly entered in the athletic minutes of the school4 ,the high jump came next on the programme2 juniors led the way and showed much agility4 ,for several rounds ten of them cleared the bar2 but the next trial proved fatal to seven1 leaving only ,novie1 ,myrtle1 and ,githa on the field4 ,it was a hard contest between these three4 ,they were very evenly matched2 ,novie was the tallest1 but ,githa had the best springing power1 and came off victor in the end4 ,glad the poor old ,toadstool's scored1 commented ,dona ,matthews to ,gwethyn4 ,it's a tremendous feather in her cap1 because she hasn't been able to practise as much as the rest of her form4 ,those kids have been at it half the evening1 all through this week4 ,our turn next6 ,hope you're feeling fit8 ,i'll do my best1 but ,i always find the feminine petticoat an encumbrance--even a gymnasium skirt is apt to catch4 ,boys have that immense advantage at athletics4 ,well1 it's the same for us all1 so we must take the petticoat as a handicap4 ,gwethyn was fairly good at jumping1 and held her own well in the form4 ,she kept up pluckily when ,beatrix1 ,susie1 and even ,dona had fallen out4 ,a large coco-nut mat had been placed for the girls to jump on to1 but the grass was very dry1 and just where the spring must be taken it had become slippery4 ,gwethyn1 so near to victory1 slid1 alas6 as on ice1 and came a heavy cropper4 ,she got up ruefully rubbing her leg1 not seriously injured1 but too temporarily lame to make another trial1 and the triumph was scored by ,rose ,randall2 not even the ,sixth1 who followed1 being able to break her record4 ,the sack race for juniors was attended with much merriment4 ,the fifteen members of the ,fourth1 fastened up securely to the neck in clean sacks1 were laid on their backs in a giggling row4 ,at the word of command from the starter they struggled somehow to their feet1 and began to make what shuffling progress they might4 ,it was a case of most haste least speed1 for over-zealous hurry only resulted in a fall1 and often five or six girls would be squirming like caterpillars on the ground4 ,hopping1 stumbling1 tripping1 anything but running1 the competitors made their slow way1 till ,jess ,howard1 the foremost1 literally tumbled across the ribbon1 lying mirthful and speechless till she was raised and released from her impediment by the stewards4 ,the bicycle race was less of an open competition1 for only those could enter who possessed machines4 ,there were ten candidates altogether1 ,katrine1 ,gwethyn1 and ,githa being among the number4 ,it was the sole event in the ,sports for which ,katrine would compete2 she affected to consider running and jumping only fit for juniors1 and stood aloof from such childish recreations 7as she termed them71 greatly to the indignation and scorn of the monitresses1 who held a brief for athletics4 ,the race was by no means plain riding4 ,two long rows of flowerpots had been placed1 with due intervals between them1 and in and out among these the competitors must guide their machines in a tortuous twist4 ,it was a matter of balance and careful steering1 and ,katrine1 who was perhaps a little too airily confident1 came to grief over the ninth pot1 rather--,i am afraid--to the satisfaction of some of the members of the ,sixth1 who chuckled together at her want of prowess4 ,katrine1 however1 had the virtue of being able to take defeat in a sporting manner4 ,she wheeled her bicycle away1 and watched the finish from a quite disinterested point of view4 ,gwethyn did well1 but she was still a little stiff with her fall on the grass1 and she lacked practice4 ,githa1 whose daily cycling to and from school made her absolutely at home on her machine1 had a decided pull over the others1 and won by several points4 ,it was her second victory that afternoon1 and the school applauded loudly4 ,her pale cheeks flushed with pleasure at the sound of the clapping4 ,it was sweet for once to be appreciated--she1 who was generally such an outsider among the boarders4 ,good old girl6 ,you outshone yourself6 cried ,gwethyn with an admiring slap on the back4 ,you wound about like a boa constrictor6 ,thanks for the comparison--,i'd rather be a toadstool than a snake6 laughed ,githa4 ,the stewards were collecting and rearranging the flowerpots1 and a team of juniors came forward for the tortoise race4 ,a difficult competition this1 for each candidate had to conduct marching operations mounted on two flowerpots1 and was required to balance herself on one leg on one pot1 while she cautiously and skilfully moved the other pot forwards4 ,putting a foot to the ground necessitated returning to the starting-point1 and several times the foremost competitors1 in their anxiety to hurry along1 let zeal exceed caution and lost their balance4 ,true to the title of tortoise1 the slow and steady made the surest progress1 and ,bertha ,grant1 the hindmost in the opening running1 scored at this event4 ,on the whole the girls voted the obstacle race the best fun4 ,every competitor rapidly worked a sum1 submitted it to ,miss ,andrews1 and if correct tore away to scramble through some hurdles and run over a raised plank4 ,she was then required to open a parcel1 take out a long skirt and put it on1 continuing her course1 much encumbered by its flapping1 to climb more hurdles as a finish4 ,lena ,dawson1 ,dona ,matthews1 and ,dorrie ,vernon won credit for their respective forms1 the latter particularly distinguishing herself1 as she arrived at the goal without having torn her long skirt1 an achievement not accomplished by ,lena or ,dona4 ,the last event1 the ,north ,pole race1 was confined to juniors4 ,the girls were first blindfolded with handkerchiefs1 then paper-bags were tied over their heads1 and thus incapacitated from seeing1 they were turned loose to grope for the ,north ,pole1 a stick placed in the centre of the field4 ,attendant scouts kept them on the course1 gently turning them towards the goal when they strayed to other points of the compass2 but in spite of this help they would often pass groping hands within a few inches of the stick and fail to grasp it4 ,after much fun and excellent collie work on the part of the scouts1 ,meta ,powers tumbled quite by accident over the winning-post1 bearing it with her to the ground as she shouted a stifled ,hurrah6 from within her paper-bag4 ,,chapter ,,xxii ,the ,old ,oak ,cupboard ,there yet remained the form trophy to be competed for1 winners only in the previous events being eligible as candidates4 ,to ensure equal chances for all1 the test was to be a handicap race1 age and height being taken into consideration4 ,the judges carefully placed the competitors1 tall ,rose ,randall getting little advantage over ,dorrie ,vernon1 though she was two years younger1 and ,jess ,howard being in a line with ,dona ,matthews4 ,githa had been given her starting-point1 and was standing in readiness for the signal1 when she noticed her uncle and aunt arriving upon the scene4 ,how late they were6 ,they had missed almost the entire programme4 ,who was that stranger in khaki whom they had brought with them8 ,they were introducing him to ,mrs4 ,franklin1 who was shaking hands1 and finding seats for all three4 ,some friend of ,uncle ,wilfred's1 she supposed--but here her reflections were brought to an abrupt close1 for ,miss ,andrews gave the signal1 and the race began4 ,owing to the handicaps it was a closely matched affair2 all were on their mettle1 and exerted themselves to the uttermost4 ,at first ,dona seemed to be making the best progress1 but ,dorrie and ,ellaline were coming up fast from behind1 and passed her4 ,githa ran steadily until the two ,sixth ,form girls were in a line with her2 then with a sudden spurt1 of which she had hardly believed herself capable1 she sprang forward1 kept her advantage1 and a whole yard in front of them touched the ribbon4 ,the ,fourth rent the air with their cheers4 ,the trophy was by far the most important event of the afternoon1 and the girl who had secured it for her form was the heroine of the moment4 ,too much out of breath for speech1 but conscious of her honours1 ,githa walked back to receive the congratulations of her comrades4 ,two medals and the trophy6 ,she could scarcely believe her good fortune4 ,mrs4 ,boswell1 with smiling face1 had turned to the prize-table1 and ,miss ,andrews was marshalling the winners in the order of their events4 ,the poor old ,toadstool looks quite pretty for once1 said ,jill ,barton1 as ,githa1 with shining eyes1 and cheeks flushed with unwonted colour1 received her two medals and the charming little clock which would henceforth adorn the mantelpiece of the ,fourth ,form room4 ,when she's through her ugly duckling stage1 ,i believe she'll turn out rather handsome1 agreed ,ivy ,parkins4 ,i always said she had good features1 only she looked so drab and depressed4 ,her expression has changed lately1 and it makes an immense difference4 ,she doesn't scowl like she used to do4 ,it was indeed such a bright1 beaming1 animated girl who expressed her thanks to ,mrs4 ,boswell1 the donor of the clock1 that ,mrs4 ,ledbury looked quite amazed4 ,she beckoned her niece to her side4 ,illustration3 ',,this ,,concerns ,,us ,,very ,,much1 ,,githa4 ,,it',s ,,your ,,grandfather',s ,,last ,,will' ,come here1 ,githa6 ,i'm glad to see you do so well4 ,i want you to speak to this gentleman 7indicating the khaki-clad officer74 ,do you know who he is8 ,i thought not6 ,well1 it's a surprise for us all4 ,but as ,githa looked up into the kindly face turned smilingly down to greet her1 old wellnigh forgotten scenes of early childhood came rushing back1 and with a swift flash1 half of intuition1 half of memory1 she divined the truth4 ,you're my ,uncle ,frank6 she exclaimed4 99 99 99 99 99 ,later on in the afternoon1 when tea was over1 and the visitors were dispersed about the garden1 ,githa took her new uncle for a walk in the orchard4 ,she did not feel in the least shy with him1 and clung to his arm1 stroking the khaki sleeve--a caress she would never have dreamed of venturing with ,mr4 ,wilfred ,ledbury4 ,i got your letter all right--that's what brought me1 confided ,uncle ,frank4 ,i never meant to show my face in ,heathwell again1 but if you children want me1 that's a different matter4 ,so you think you'd like to live with me1 you young witch8 ,well1 wait till the war's over1 and we'll see what can be managed4 ,your brother tried to run away1 did he8 ,the rascal6 ,i'm glad he's ready to serve his country--the navy will be the making of him4 ,i must have a look at the ,grange1 for old sake's sake4 ,now tell me about your little self and your doings4 ,then somehow ,githa began pouring out the whole story of the last few weeks' happenings1 including the finding of the movable panel at the ,grange1 and ending with ,bob ,gartley's confession on the preceding afternoon4 ,her uncle listened attentively4 ,i should like to see this oak cupboard1 he remarked4 ,you say it belongs to your friend ,katrine1 the sister of ,marsden whom ,i met in hospital8 ,would she show it to us now8 ,i'm sure she would4 ,i'll go and fetch her4 ,please wait for me here4 ,githa returned in a few minutes with both ,katrine and ,gwethyn4 ,they were anxious to make ,captain ,ledbury's acquaintance and to ask for news of their brother ,hereward4 ,the account of his progress was satisfactory4 ,he'll have joined his regiment again by now1 ,i expect1 lucky chap6 ,he wasn't on the 'serious' list1 so had no need to be invalided home4 ,oh1 he's in the best of spirits6 ,he kept us all alive in the ward with his jokes4 ,never met such a fellow for making puns6 ,just like ,hereward6 exclaimed the sisters proudly4 ,katrine led the way to the studio1 and did the honours of the little spice cupboard4 ,i didn't know when ,i bought it that it came originally from the ,grange1 she explained4 ,it had changed hands twice before ,i got possession of it4 ,githa and ,i spent half an hour or more over it yesterday1 but we couldn't find any secret place1 added ,gwethyn4 ,captain ,ledbury had stooped down1 and was making a careful examination4 ,he pulled out all the small drawers1 and felt carefully behind them4 ,i dare say it's twenty years or more since my father showed me how this works4 ,i've almost forgotten the trick4 ,which side was it1 now8 ,right or left8 ,why1 of course1 ,i remember6 ,you push both together4 ,it's rather stiff4 ,right-o6 ,it's moving4 ,oh1 good biz6 ,a thin panel of wood forming the back of the recess had slid aside1 revealing a small door with a keyhole4 ,it refused to open1 and was evidently securely locked4 ,with your permission1 ,miss ,marsden1 we shall have to do a little burgling1 remarked ,captain ,ledbury4 ,perhaps my penknife will serve as a 'jemmy'4 ,oh no1 ,uncle ,frank6 cried ,githa4 ,don't force it6 ,wait half a moment4 ,i've got it here in my pocket4 ,look6 ,try this--the key that ,i found inside the panel at the ,grange4 ,i've kept it most carefully1 in case ,i should ever find what it belonged to4 ,i believe you've solved the problem6 murmured her uncle4 ,all watched eagerly as ,captain ,ledbury made trial of the little key4 ,it fitted exactly4 ,the rusty lock creaked as it turned1 and the door flew open4 ,the space revealed was very narrow2 there was only just room for a fat envelope that was wedged inside4 ,uncle ,frank tore the letter open with impatient fingers4 ,it contained a pile of bank-notes and a sheet of writing-paper4 ,he studied the latter attentively for a moment or two4 ,then he turned to his niece4 ,this concerns us very much1 ,githa4 ,it's your grandfather's last will1 duly witnessed1 and apparently in good order4 ,you and ,cedric and myself benefit considerably4 ,it's a lucky day for the three of us4 ,i shall keep this packet1 and place it at once in the hands of the solicitor who is named as executor4 ,so ,grandfather hadn't forgotten us1 after all6 ,not a bit of it4 ,you'll come in for a very nice little fortune some day1 young lady6 ,this is better than winning clocks and medals6 ,i never won anything in my life before4 ,the key has proved my mascot this afternoon4 ,when one's luck turns1 it often comes with a rush1 chuckled ,uncle ,frank4 ,bob ,gartley really told the truth for once in his life4 ,he'll deserve the five pounds ,i promised him4 ,he shall have it1 though ,i'm afraid the scoundrel will only squander it at the ',dragon'4 ,perhaps we can think of some way of helping the wife and children4 ,i wish ,i could persuade him to enlist--the discipline of the army is just what he needs4 ,i remember him very well when he was a lad1 and he had the elements of good stuff in him then4 ,pity it's all run to waste4 ,one never knows2 after this illness a completely fresh start in life might make a new man of him4 ,it's wonderful what serving their country has done for some of our fellows2 in their case the war has been a blessing in disguise4 ,oh1 it would be glorious if he'd go for a soldier6 agreed ,githa4 ,perhaps he will if you talk to him1 and tell him about what's going on at the front4 ,what a good thing it is to be extravagant sometimes6 exclaimed ,katrine4 ,i'm so glad ,i bought that cupboard from ,mrs4 ,stubbs4 ,if she'd sold it to a dealer in ,london1 the secret might never have been discovered4 ,it's certainly the best bargain you could have made1 agreed ,captain ,ledbury4 99 99 99 99 99 ,monday morning saw the bringing out of thirty-six travelling trunks1 and a corresponding number of damsels busy with the joyful employment of packing to go home4 ,rules had vanished to the four winds1 and the girls flitted in and out of one another's dormitories1 and talked to their hearts' content4 ,father and ,mother will be home in ten days6 proclaimed ,gwethyn jubilantly1 sitting on ,rose ,randall's bed amidst a litter of underlinen4 ,we're to go and stay with ,aunt ,norah until they come4 ,mother won't bring me the cockatoo--she says they're so noisy1 and such a nuisance on board ship2 but she's got another surprise for me1 only it's not alive4 ,well1 never mind6 ,perhaps ,tony wouldn't have liked a cockatoo4 ,he'd be frightfully jealous if ,i set up another pet1 the poor darling6 ,we're going to ,windermere for our holidays1 said ,rose1 wrapping up boots and stowing them inside her box4 ,we're to stay at a house close to the lake1 and ,i mean to learn to row4 ,we shall be off to our country cottage in ,north ,wales1 announced ,beatrix ,bates4 ,and ,bert and ,i have an invitation to ,scotland1 exulted ,dona ,matthews4 ,girls6 cried ,jill ,barton1 bursting suddenly into the room2 ,i've a piece of news to tell you4 ,oh1 such news6 ,you'd never guess6 ,well1 fire away6 ,someone's engaged6 ,engaged for what8 ,engaged to be married1 of course6 ,what sillies you are6 ,can't you guess8 ,well1 it's ,miss ,aubrey6 ,never6 ',to-who8 ,to-who8' cried the owl6 ,to ,mr4 ,freeman4 ,oh1 ,i say6 ,hold me up6 ,not really8 ,mr4 ,freeman6 ,why1 he's ever so old6 ,not so very1 interrupted ,gwethyn1 taking up the cudgels for her artist friend4 ,he's only rather grey1 and1 of course1 ,miss ,aubrey isn't very young herself--though she's a dear4 ,i'm immensely glad6 ,why1 so are we all6 ,i hope she'll have the wedding during term-time1 so that we can go and see her married4 ,wouldn't we cheer her1 and throw rice and old slippers1 just8 ,i don't fancy anything's fixed yet2 the engagement is only just announced4 ,it will be ,mrs4 ,franklin's turn next1 perhaps6 ,no1 no6 ,surely ,ermengarde wouldn't permit it6 ,besides1 what would become of the school8 ,joking apart1 we shall miss ,miss ,aubrey dreadfully4 ,gwethyn1 who rushed to impart the interesting news to her sister1 found ,katrine kneeling on the floor of their bedroom1 packing canvases4 ,it will be our gain1 was the latter's comment1 because ,i suppose ,miss ,aubrey will come to live at ,hartfield when she's married to ,mr4 ,freeman4 ,how lovely to have her so near6 ,i shall often run in and have talks with her4 ,it's something to look forward to4 ,gwethyn1 ,i've decided to give my picture of the old spice cupboard as a good-bye present to ,githa4 ,i believe she'd like to have it4 ,katrine looked with a sigh at her portraits of ,granny ,blundell and little ,hugh ,gartley4 ,the ambitious hope which she had cherished in connection with them had fallen to the ground4 ,she had shown the painting to ,mr4 ,freeman1 but he had not encouraged her to submit it to the hanging committee of any ,art ,gallery4 ,your work is still too crude and immature for exhibition1 child1 he had said1 kindly but truthfully4 ,you need to go and study1 and learn many things4 ,persevere1 and keep pegging away1 and you'll do well in course of time1 ,i dare say4 ,art needs an apprenticeship as much as anything else4 ,the old masters themselves began as pupils in the workshops of others4 ,leaving her would-be masterpiece out of the question1 ,katrine had quite a nice little collection of sketches to take home with her4 ,she had made distinct progress during her stay at ,aireyholme1 and she knew that her father and mother would be pleased with the result of her work4 ,she looked forward also to showing one or two of her best landscapes to the head master of the ,hartfield ,school of ,art when she should begin her autumn course there4 ,i'm sure ,i've really finished with ordinary school for good now1 she soliloquized1 taking the box of hairpins 7which she had brought from home7 out of the dressing-table drawer1 and trying the effect of coiling up her long pigtail4 ,i've grown half an inch since ,i came to ,aireyholme1 so if ,i'm not grown up now1 ,i ought to be4 ,well1 you can't have a coming-out dance till the war's over1 for there'd be no partners1 laughed ,gwethyn4 ,you must possess your soul in patience1 and wait till ,hereward and his friends come back4 ,may that be soon6 ,it's been a ripping three months1 continued ,gwethyn4 ,i've enjoyed myself immensely here4 ,i never dreamt ,i should1 and yet it's really almost been the time of my life4 ,i don't want to go back to ,hartfield ,high ,school4 ,i'm going to ask ,mother to let me stay on at ,aireyholme instead4 ,yes1 agreed ,katrine slowly4 ,it's been better than ,i expected--the lovely country1 the village1 the sketching1 ,miss ,aubrey1 the ,grange1 the discovery inside the old oak cupboard1 all have combined together to make it--what shall ,i call it8 ,,the ,,jolliest ,,term ,,on ,,record6 pronounced ,gwethyn emphatically4 ,,printed ,,in ,,great ,,britain ,by ,blackie ,son1 ,limited1 ,glasgow ,transcriber's ,note3 ,spelling and hyphenation have been retained as in the original publication except as follows3 ,page #eg ,a char-a-banc with three changed to ,a char-a-banc with three ,page #aac ,the ,grange is out of bonds changed to ,the ,grange is out of bounds ,page #beb farm1 emerging in an incredibly changed to farm-house1 emerging in an incredibly