"And me and Cedric?" asked Alex, trembling.
"Cedric doesn't give me no trouble, as you very well know, and he'll stay here and help me amuse poor little Barbara, as has always got on with him so nicely."
"Shall I stay and play with Barbara too?"
"She's a long way from playing yet," Nurse returned grimly. "And I should think the sight of you would throw her into a fit, after what's passed."
"But what will happen to me, Nurse?" sobbed Alex.
"Your Papa will talk to you," said Nurse.
Such a thing had never happened to any of the children before, but Alex, trembling and sick from crying, found herself confronting Sir Francis in the dining-room.
"I am going to send you to school, Alex," he told her. "How old are you?"
"Twelve."
"Then I hope," said Sir Francis gravely, "that you are old enough to understand what a terrible thing it is to be sent from home in disgrace for such a reason. I am told that you have the deplorable reputation of originating quarrels with your brothers and sister, who, but for you, would lead the normal existence of happily-circumstanced children."