Just then, to her relief, Julia passed through the hall.
"Come upstairs with me and I will show you the gymnasium that we have had built. Edith, you know, paid for it all."
So up to the top of the house the two cousins climbed, followed by Nora and Maggie. Two large rooms had been thrown into one, and as the roof was flat, a fine, large hall was the result. This was fitted up with light gymnastic apparatus, and Julia explained that a teacher was to come once a week to teach the girls. "In stormy weather, when we can't go out, this will be a grand place for bean-bags and similar games, and, indeed, I think that the gymnasium will prove one of the most attractive rooms in the Mansion."
At this moment a Chinese gong resounded through the house.
"Twelve o'clock; it seems hardly possible!" and Julia led the way for the others to follow her downstairs.
From the school-room above three or four girls now appeared, and others came from various parts of the house where they had been at work, among them Concetta and Gretchen.
"Let me count you," said Miss South, after they were seated; "although I can make only nine, I cannot decide who is missing."
As Concetta raised her hand Gretchen tried to pull it down.
"You're not in school; she don't want you to do that."
But the former continued to shake her hand, until Miss South noticed her.