she had been left prisoner in Miss Nelson's sitting-room, was nothing indeed to the agony which

hated dark rooms; her imagination was unhealthy, and fostered in her home life in the worst possible way. Ermengarde knew th

able that several times the miserable child was on the point of confessing all. What kept her back from doing this was the thought of Basil. While the ghost of a chance remained

ie, Eric, Basil, Lucy, all crowded round their sister. They were unfeignedly delighted to

low inside, like a room, and pointed at the top, with a hole to let the air in, and-why, what's the matter, Ermie? You look as wh

talking to mop he

e capsized the boat, he laughed so. Only Basil was a bit mopy. He's not half him

down with a small sister aloft on each broad shoulder. Eric was sending all the small fry whom he could reach into screams at his s

long left to herself in any group. Ermie had not a sec

want you

What is it? Coming, Eric!

se children awa

e!" shouted several vo

ou. I'm talking to Ermie for a min

se, without any one noticing.

lp you! How q

portant! Don't questi

you do look

ou'd be clever enough to find an excuse for

id Marjorie. "You'

n't be gon

Stay where you are-I'll be

down by old nurse's side, had a short and

h his tea. She says you'll find the box in the nursery cu

o had now come up. "The idea of sen

ther message. You had better go,

d Ermengarde. She looked ready

id Basil. "I'll go, if it comes to that. Where

You are to light the f

ligh

e is sure to boil over, or something. Do be on the spot

ie as she hurried across the hay-field. Ermengarde had never run so fast in her life. What should she find when s

nce lay between that hay-field and the house! At last the lawn was gained, then the gravel sweep, then the side-do

en sank down in a chair. Susy instantly made her appearance; she w

didn't think as you'd treat me as bad as that! Why, I

ltered. In her relief and thankfulness at finding Susy alive and well, s

s Er

as fond of anyone,

n, miss," she sai

she felt she would have endured another

didn't want you to have a scolding; no, that I didn't; so it's all right, miss; I'

soon drie

ave you now, Susy. Don't be long here. Run downstairs while t

t heart left the room. She went to the nursery, sec

e often than Ermengarde. She thought herself safe, and it never occur