'What would you do, Miss Unselfish?' said Kathie teasingly.
'I'd run away and dress myself like a little servant so as to get into the house, or—or—anything,' said Philippa.
'And get put into prison for poking about among other people's things. That would be very nice for papa and mamma! Your head's far too full of fanciful stories and rubbish!' said Kathleen.
And for some days there was a decided coolness between the friends.
But on the fourth day something happened which quickly set this unusual state of things to rights. A rather thick letter arrived for 'Miss Powys' by the morning post. It was addressed in Neville's clear, boyish handwriting; and as this was at once recognised by Miss Eccles, she gave it to Kathleen without any remark or inquiry. And though there was only a quarter of an hour between breakfast and morning lessons beginning, Kathie managed to gain a pretty fair idea of its contents before taking her place in the schoolroom. But it was not till the after-dinner play-time in the garden that she was able to tell what the letter contained to her little confidante. All she had time to whisper to her—for it was a very busy morning—was, 'I have got something to tell you, Phil, so you're not to look cross at me any more. You will open your eyes when you hear it.'
Philippa opened her eyes wide enough only to know she was going to hear it! What could it be? Kathie looked so pleased and excited that Philippa almost fancied news must have come of the will having been found. Of course it would be very nice, she said to herself, very nice, if it were so; but still she was conscious of a little feeling of disappointment at the idea. She was rather what is called a romantic little girl; she liked to make up wonderful stories in her head; but this was the first time that she had ever come across in actual life anything to make a really good one about, so, naturally, she felt that it would be quite a pity for it to come to an end too soon. It would be like a book finishing up all in a hurry in the middle. She thought so much about it that she was very sharply reproved by Miss Fraser for inattention and carelessness, which forced her out of her dreams, though the pleasant feeling of having something out of the common to look forward to prevented her taking the scolding much to heart.
THE AFTER-DINNER PLAY-TIME IN THE GARDEN.
And at last—at last, though really it did seem as if the morning would never come to an end—the two friends found themselves together in the arbour again, and Kathleen drew the fat-looking letter out of her pocket.