hey are coming all the same, Hollyhock, and so is Aunt Cecilia;
and to-morrow they are coming again with that dear boy Ivor Chetwode.'

'Oh, is that his name?' said Hollyhock.

'How can you know anything about his name?' said Jasmine in
astonishment.

'Ask Gentian; perhaps _she'll_ tell you,' said Hollyhock with a wicked
glance out of her black eyes at her sister's pale-gray ones.

But Gentian shook her head in bewilderment. 'She ought to see a
doctor,' was her remark.

'Oh yes,' cried Hollyhock; 'but though she _ought_, she _won't_; and
neither you nor that old Duncan can force me to; and I don't wish to
hear a thing about your precious school, so for goodness' sake don't
begin. You know the old proverb that new brooms sweep clean. Well,
the school is a very new one, and the brooms are very new also. I
expect you won't be in such _pretended_ raptures after another week or
two, while I, the faithful one, remain at home, to do my duty.'

The four Flower Girls gazed in consternation at one another. They were
certainly distressed when Hollyhock refused to go to school with them,
but her behaviour on the first day of their return altogether upset
them; and as for poor little Delphy, it was with difficulty that she
could keep the tears back from her eyes.

'There! Shoo! Get the cat out,' cried Hollyhock, as Jean was again
putting in an appearance.

'Why, poor old darling!' exclaimed Gentian, 'she sha'n't be scolded,
that she sha'n't. I 'll take her away to my room and pet her.'

'No, you won't; you'll do nothing of the sort. She's the only thing
that now clings to me, and I 'm not going to have _you_ sneaking round
and winning her affections.'

'Why, you wanted her to go, Hollyhock. Really, I don't know you,'
cried Gentian.

'I dare say you don't. You have "other fish to fry."'

The four girls felt for the first time in their lives really angry with
their favourite sister. Hollyhock, simply to spite Gentian, called in
a coaxing tone to Jean, who now jumped on the bed and purred loudly,
while Hollyhock stroked her fur, doing it, however, very often the
wrong way, which form of endearment tries all cats, even a kitchen cat.

'There, you see for yourselves, she 's the only one left to love me,'
said Hollyhock. 'Oh, for goodness' sake, don't rush at me with your
sham kisses! I can't abide them, or you. Get away, will you, and
leave me in peace!--Jean, poor beastie! And do you love your little
mist