Just before the children went to bed, Miss Falkner picked up an old copy-book an the floor of Jill's bedroom. She did not often look at her scribblings, but the first words startled her:
"Dear Miss Grant,"—
She read on, with an anxious face, yet with a keen sense of humour—
"We've been having tea with Mr. Arnold. We think you had better be his wife. He has not anybody to do things like Mrs. Errington did, and we told him we would find a wife for him. We said we would send her to-morrow. He wants a wife, and so he will expect you. Please tell him you came from us. And have your wedding-day very soon, because we shall all come and see you married. Mr. Arnold told us we could do this, so it is not wrong.
"Your affectionate friend,
"Jill Baron.
"P.S.—Jack and Bumps and I chose you, and we know Mr. Arnold will be pleased."
"Jill," said Miss Falkner sharply, "what is this?"
"Oh," said Jill unconcernedly, "it's a copy of a letter I sent Miss Grant. I wanted to do it neatly, so I wrote it in there first."
"But you have never sent it?"
"Yes, I did. Annie was going out, and she took it to the post."