"I won't have my hair touched," said Henny, putting both hands round her fiery locks.
"We'll see about that. Come along; your coffee will be getting cold."
A minute later the girls found themselves in the Chamber of Discipline. There was a table in the centre, and at one end was a tray covered with a white cloth. It contained two large breakfast cups of excellent coffee and two plates piled with thick bread and butter.
"I say, look here, I want jam," said Henny.
"Jam is not given in Discipline," said a harsh and somewhat cracked voice, which so startled the girls that they forgot such a trivial thing as jam, for the words undoubtedly sounded from the lips of the lady who was to instruct them.
She was small, thin and wiry. Her face was an olive tint and very much wrinkled. Her hands were at once remarkable for their thinness and their strength, and her voice had a peculiarly grating sound.
She introduced herself to the Misses Mostyn with a solemn bow and said, "For a week I am your only teacher. Sit down and eat your breakfast, for we are late. You won't have a minute to idle. My name is Pinchin—Miss Pinchin. I am Mrs. Faithful's devoted friend. I rule over Discipline and all those girls who go through its stringent methods. Now, hurry, hurry. Don't slop the coffee into your saucer, Henrietta.—Daisy, eat your bread and butter tidily."
"I wonder," said Henny, speaking suddenly, for Daisy was silent, "did you ever have all your plans spoilt just by a streak of light from a dark lantern."
"That question I refuse to answer. Now, time is up. Daisy, ring the bell for Dawson."
"But we haven't finished yet," said Henrietta.