"We ought to make a pretty good alliance, don't you think?" said Gabrielle in her quiet way.
"The three Musketeers," suggested Noreen. "Let's stick together like they did—and I only wish we could go in for as many rows!"
At which pious aspiration both Joey and Gabrielle laughed, for Noreen was notorious at Redlands for the number and extent of her rows.
The train was rather late, but it came at last, and among the few people getting out at Mote Deeping, was a neat figure in a very well-cut coat and skirt, who was only about half Mr. Craigie's ungainly size, and not at all like him at first sight; though Joey came a little later on to recognise the familiar twinkle of the deep-set eyes and the kindly smile. Just then she only knew Miss Craigie by the ecstatic exclamation of Noreen and Gabrielle, "That's her!"
Miss Craigie shook hands with them, and she seemed to know who Joey was without a need of Gabrielle's polite introduction. At the earnest request of all the three, she consented to put all her luggage into one of the wheezy cabs and walk with them to Redlands.
She laid a hand on Joey's shoulder as they left the little station. "Well, how goes it?"
Joey liked her voice, with its touch of soft Scotch accent, and her eyes were very kind. She took a deep breath.
"I've messed up my quilt taking it on the roof, and Matron says it's a disgrace and ought to make me ashamed every time I go to bed. And I've starred a window, so it had to be mended; and I've got into a row with the Head for arriving home alone, and with Professor Trouville for tidying his old Lab——"
"That was my fault!" interrupted Noreen.
"And been turned out of French class once—but Maddy was fearfully decent after—and out of maths class twice for ragging...."