"If you don't act the little idiot by laughing, no one will guess," answered the boy.
"I won't—I promise I won't," she answered.
"But I say, do you want this one to go?" continued Bob.
"Of course I do. I don't mean to have a governess at all; I said I wouldn't, and I won't."
"Well, you are a bit of a fool. Nice dunce you'll be when you grow up," came the brotherly response.
"I shan't," flashed Ellice. "I can read all right, and when I get older I'll just study, myself. What's the use of all the silly old arithmetic and stuff?"
"Very well, only don't blame me when you are grown up," answered Bob loftily.
"As if I should. Come on; let's fix things," and, creeping softly out on to the landing, and reconnoitring on the staircase, the two stole up to Miss Woodford's room.
Ellice kept guard outside, while Bob evidently fixed matters to their mutual satisfaction. It only took a few moments, and the culprits were back again in their own quarters, their plans duly arranged.
Ellice was wild with delight at the prospect of anticipated fun, as she called it; but in the back of Bob's head there was a little sense of doubt and discomfort.