“What are you doing, David?” shrieked Phyllis from the schoolroom window.
The man paused, turned round in amazement, and looked up at the excited child.
“I am going with a note to the Rectory, Miss; it is from Miss Fleet.”
“Stop one minute.”
Phyllis dashed to the table, seized a sheet of paper, scribbled on it, “Come and save me; I am in the claws of a dragon,” folded the note, directed it to Ralph, and threw it out of the window.
“Take that note too to the Rectory,” she said.
David picked it up, grinned from ear to ear, and galloped off.
When Miss Fleet returned she found Phyllis bending attentively over her Child’s Guide.
“I hope you know it,” said Miss Fleet.
“I have sent a line to Mrs Hilchester to say that it is not convenient for the children to come to-day. If you are very good I will ask the two girls to tea some afternoon when we have settled to our routine of work. Now don’t say any more about them; attend like a good girl to your lessons.”