MISS HARDCASTLE'S pupils were allowed a break of twenty minutes in the middle of the morning. When it was wet they remained indoors, but when the weather was fine they usually repaired to the playground, where big and little girls both passed the time in playing games. At first, Marigold did not much enjoy this twenty minutes, because her companions were not genial; but on the morning after her disagreement with Muriel Wake she found that a change had taken place in the girls' feelings towards her, the fact being that they were most of them thoroughly disgusted with Muriel's behaviour, and ready to make up to Marigold for their former coolness. She met their advances gladly, for she had felt her loneliness in their midst; but she was determined that she would not take any of them into her confidence, at least until she knew them better.
In the playground Grace Long approached Marigold with a pleasant remark about the beauty of the day. It was a perfect morning. The chestnut trees that surrounded Miss Hardcastle's garden were in full bloom, and the air was sweet with the mingled perfume of lilac and laburnum blossoms. Marigold was seated on a bench by herself; she looked up a little shyly when Grace addressed her, for the big girls did not have much to say to their juniors, as a rule.
"Why are you not at play with the others?" Grace asked.
"I have been playing with them, but I got tired and sat down for a rest. I have never been accustomed to running about much, but I have been having a good time to-day."
Grace sat down on the bench by Marigold's side.
"Have you spoken to Muriel Wake this morning?" she inquired.
"Oh no! I don't wish to speak to her I don't want to have anything to do with her!"
"She served you badly, but she will be sorry one of these days. Muriel and I are alike in one respect—we are both motherless. She lives with her father, who is an exceedingly rich man, and very seldom at home. She has been brought up entirely by servants; her father seldom keeps the same servants long, so Muriel has been first in the charge of one person, then another. She has never had a fair chance of learning to be faithful and true, poor little girl!"
Grace presently went on to talk of the other girls, until Marigold was struck with surprise that she should know so much about them.
"You see I have lived in Exeter many years," she explained, "and all that time I have been at school. I spend my holidays here too."