Part 37 (2/2)
”I am back at school, and quite happy Tell Mr Martin, if he should happen to write to me, to spell his name with a 'y,' and please spell your name with a 'y' Please tell Mr Martin that I will explain the reason of this e h”
Maggie ed the next day to post this letter unknown to her fellows, and in course of time a remarkable post-card arrived for her
It was dated from Laburnum Villa, Clapham, and ritten in a sprawly but business-like hand:
”No 'y's' for ie received her card when none of her schoolfelloere present; but it was certainly the reverse of reassuring
CHAPTER XVII
THE LEISURE HOURS
School-life began in real earnest, and school-life at Ayl, that all that was best in each girl was brought to the fore There was an adirls periods for play as well as the most suitable hours for work In addition, each day there ere called the ”leisure hours” These were fro
The leisure hours began iirls went to their roo these two hours they were allowed to do precisely what they pleased
Mrs Ward was irls during the leisure hours From the very first she had insisted on this period of rest and absolute relaxation from all work
Work was strictly forbidden in the school fro that period that the queens of the school generally exercised their power Aneta then usually found herself surrounded by her satellites in one corner of the girls' own special sitting-rooie was in a similar position at the farther end Aneta's satellites were always quiet, sober, and well-behaved; Maggie's, it is sad to relate, were a trifle rowdy There is so else also painful to relate--na eyes from time to tiie and her friends clustered
The girls had been about a fortnight at school, and as in full swing, when Kathleen, springing fro”
”Well, what is it?” asked Maggie, as lying back against a pile of cushi+ons and supplying herself daintily from a box of chocolates which her adorers had purchased for her
”I want us all,” said Kathleen, ”to give a party to the other queen and her subjects; and I want it to be about the very jolliest entertainment that can be found We must, of course, ask Mrs Ward's leave; but she is certain to give it”
”I don't know that she is,” said Maggie
”Oh, she is--certain sure,” said Kathleen ”May I go and ask her now?”
”Do you dare?” said Rosa at Kitty's radiant face with some astonishment
”Dare!” cried Irish Kitty ”I don't know theyou word in a few irls”
She rushed out of the roo her brows Rosaan to sound her praises ”She is sweet, isn't she?”
”Yes,” said Clara; ”and I do so love her pretty Irish brogue”
”Mother tells me,” said Janet, as Scotch, ”that Irish characters are not ood--they're not reliable, I mean”
”Oh, what a shame!” said Matty Roache