“Isn’t it the school where that horrid Marcia Aldworth was—that detestable old-maid thing.”

“She is an exceedingly nice girl.”

“Clay! As though she suited you one little bit! Why, I saw her one day, and she was as pokery as possible.”

“But she is a friend of Miss St. Just’s.”

“Oh, Clay! Clay! I will be good; I will be good, and we needn’t talk of that horrid school just now, need we, just when my long beautiful holidays are beginning. I will be good, I will, if you will only help me.”

“Well, Puss, what can I do?”

“I did something to-day—it wasn’t really wrong, but I am a bit frightened. I must tell you.”

“You are a queer little thing—what can it be?” Penelope looked full up at her sister.

“You are as proud as Punch—you are, you old thing! And now I shall whisper to you why you are go proud?”

“Yes, do; whisper to me.”