"Yes, I can vouch for their all being the most extraordinary and delightful quartet in the world," said Molly, with a laugh. "Well, I must go now: it is nearly five o'clock, and Miss Forester has invited me to tea with her."
"Don't stay too long," called out Cecil. "Remember, I am due at school at six."
"I shall give myself exactly half an hour by the clock," replied Molly, with a smile.
She left the room, and, five minutes later, was knocking at the door of Miss Forester's charming sitting room.
"Come in!" called the principal.
Molly entered. Tea was on the table; Miss Forester was seated by a desk, examining some exercise books, she glanced round quickly when Molly entered the room.
"Pour me out some tea, like a good girl," she said; "then help yourself, and don't say a word to me for a minute or two."
She turned once more to the work over which she was busy. Molly poured out tea, helped herself to a cup, and then gave many shy glances at the principal's beautiful, tall, and slender figure, her strong face, with its deep, dark eyes and lovely expression.
"How good she looks!" thought the child, "how brave! she has the sort of expression which a conqueror ought to wear, even to look at her helps me. Oh, yes! I am sure she has had many a fight, and I am also certain that she has always come off victorious. I wish I could tell her about that vow I made, and how very hard I find it to keep it, and how frightened I am now and then, when I wake in the night and think about it. Perhaps if I don't faithfully keep it, God will send some fresh punishment to poor Kate; perhaps I did wrong to vow at all."
"Molly, child, what are you thinking about?" said Miss Forester suddenly.