xplored the place the day before. They had visited the kitchen-garden and the flower-garden, and the paddocks and the shrubberies and the lawns, and they had wandered down towards the

to do but to pace up and down under the sha

d and factotum, Annie Millar. They were all good-natured, kind-hearted girls, ready to make the best of things; but as

that I think we are placed in a rathe

ura, opening her wide blue e

are to keep the peace I don't know. I am sure I don't want to dislike her or be disagreeable to her; but she is at home, and we are strangers. She is exceedingly ill-bred, there is no doubt of that. Why should we put u

rkes. "She is just a little bit jealous. I used to b

diculous for any one to give way to those morbid feelings in these days. If her mother wished us to come here to be

aura in her quiet voice, "and my only remedy

she pokes her disagreeable l

sagreeable little word

u know perfectly well that you are cleverer than the whole lot

far less than most people: no looks, no stature, no abilities. No one need ever co

t listener, and you can make as pertinent a remark as any one in the school. I mainta

rior to most-and the French governess is very good, too. They are both busy arranging our work for us; and of course we shall have masters innumerable, and s

nied by no less a person than Lucy herself, appeared in view. Lucy shrank from the six girls who stood together under

troduced to those nice girls. Exceedingly nice they look, and pleasa

self yielding to Mrs. Brett's commands, and in a minute was standing amongst the

Susan, or Aunty Susy, to all the world, and any one who comes to Dartford finds his or her wa

emember," said Lucy

r," said Phyllis Flower i

e. Now, let me see. This is Wednesday. I think you will come to Dartford on Saturday for lessons. Will you all come and have tea with me? You shall meet my husband, who is a very jolly sort of man, and we can show you some of our curiosities, which we have c

Not a working-

rd; and he is very proud of his Master, and very proud of the service among his Master's work-men.-So, girls, you

es Sparkes eagerly. "What do you say, Jan

oval with sparkling eyes, and

rs. Brett. "You may call me Aun

gh she hated her at that moment. Mrs.

Why should not we all go and have tea down by the river?

jects to anything," said

ou, Lucy?" said Rosa

innovations

d promised Aunt Susan to bury for ever in a low grave was rising up stronger than before

ucers and teapot, and jam and bread and butter, and whatever is required for a gipsy tea? I have just one hour before I must trot back to catch my tr

g tea. The fire soon crackled and blazed; the kettle quickly did its part by singing merrily and boiling sturdily. Tea was made in the old brown teapot which was always kept for such occasions. How good it tasted in the open air! how different from any made in

that she would be Lucy's worst enemy, and she de

r pride out of her, to begin

f bread and butter had been consumed, she selecte

opening her pretty brown

e strongest," said Aunt Susan. "Now, be quick

ooden bowl, and here is hot water. An

Rosamund shall wash and you shall dry.

, said that she had quite another ten minutes to spare, and suggested a walk down a favorite

left behind washing the tea-things while

charming?

ded, "I don't want you to like he

n't I like her?

she belon

as quite happy. Now I do not feel happy, and it is owing to you, Lucy. Can we not meet and

. Lucy stood up hastily. "I will talk t

under the elm-trees. We can talk there and put things a bit straight. I

ite safe; there are no gipsies in these parts. Now, who will come with me as far as the station? Don't all speak at once. I shall be

; and, surrounded by a crowd of eager young peop