"I am very glad we have this chance of being alone," said Lucy, "for I want to speak to you."
"What do you want to say?" asked Phyllis. She was flattered by Lucy's confidence, for some of the girls admired this prim though rather handsome girl very much. Besides, was she not the daughter of their own master and mistress? Had she not a sort of position in the school which the rest of them would have envied a good deal? Lucy was beginning to exercise her power in more than one direction, and she and Rosamund between them really headed two parties in the small school. Of course, Phyllis Flower belonged altogether to Lucy's party.
"Well, what is it?" she said. "What do you want to say to me?"
"It is this," said Lucy. "I am quite determined to have my revenge on that horrid Rosamund and that odious Irene."
"I wish you wouldn't think so much about them. They are quite happy now, and don't do anybody any special harm."
"But that is just it. Rosamund ought never to have been readmitted to the school, and Irene is not the sort of girl who should have come here."
"Well, she seems a very nice sort—not that I know much about her."
"You had better not say that again in my presence, Phyllis—that is, if you wish me to remain your friend."
"Then I won't, dear," said Phyllis, "for certainly I do wish you to be my friend."
"I hate Irene," said Lucy, "and I hate Rosamund, and I hate that little sneak Agnes Frost, who tries to worm herself into everybody's good favor."