"I fancy I see myself," retorted Rupert, "at a Dame school. Why! Girls' lessons are play to ours."
But Ella, who had learnt to take Rupert's teasing for what it was worth, shook her head.
"I don't think they are all 'play,'" she said; "some girls are quite as clever as boys. Whereabouts is your school?" she added, for the little girl was intensely interested in all that concerned the Snowden family.
"Oh, further up the High Street," replied the boy; "it's a great red building, called Farley College."
Ella looked quite impressed. "And what is Farley House like?" she added, turning to Kenneth.
"You'll see for yourself to-morrow," was the answer; "if I tell you everything now, you won't have any 'surprises.'"
After a little further chat, the two boys bade good-bye, and it being near their dinner hour, they hurried off homewards.
Punctually at a quarter to nine on the following morning Ella stood on the doorstep of Rose Cottage, awaiting the arrival of the wagonette. Presently it turned the corner of the road, and a few minutes later, Ella, with the aid of Giles the coachman, had mounted into her place, a comfortable seat, beside little Marcia.
The journey betwixt school and home was usually accomplished by train, and little Ella was now the proud possessor of a season-ticket for the journey.
With a final wave to Grannie, who was watching from the window, the child started off, light of heart, en route for school.