rave laddies back.'

'But'---- said Hollyhock, a startled look coming into her dark eyes.

'Yes, my dear, and more than that. I 'm getting a boy called Henry de
Courcy Anstel from the big school; and another one, Roger Carden.'

'Oh, oh!' said Hollyhock, turning first white and then red, 'has he
blue eyes--_has_ he blue eyes?'

'That is more than I can tell you. The colour of the eyes does _not_
trouble me, and they ought not to trouble a lass of your tender years.
There 's another boy called Ivor Chetwode also coming. These with my
own five make eight. In addition, I have got Andrew MacPen from
Edinburgh, and Archie MacPen, his brother, and four little orphan boys,
who are coming all the way from London. Their names are Johnnie and
Georgie and Alec and Murray. I call them orphans because their father
and mother have gone to India, and have had to leave them behind. So
on Monday my little Annex will open with fourteen boys. They'll have
the advantage of the fraeuleins and mesdemoiselles from Ardshiel to give
them lessons two or three times a week; and in addition, being manly
boys, I have made arrangements that they shall be taught by the
Reverend James Cadell and two resident tutors. So you see now for
yourself, Hollyhock, that after your insisting so often that nothing
would make you go to a mixed school, the thing has been taken out of
your hands, my love. Mrs Macintyre has a large and flourishing school
for girls, and I hope to do well with my boys. You must congratulate
me, Hollyhock.'

'Well,' said Hollyhock haltingly, 'I--somehow--it seems hard on Mrs
Macintyre, doesn't it?'

'Not a bit of it, dear. Why, it's the making of her school. She has
got so many applications for girlies like yourself to go to Ardshiel
that she soon will have to close her lists. Now that you have decided
to go there, Hollyhock, it will bring the number of her pupils in the
course of next week up to nearly seventy.'

Hollyhock sat very cold and still.

'You don't look pleased, my child, and yet you were so strong against a
mixed school.'

'Well, yes, I was, and I am still. For that matter, I hate all
schools.'

'But you faithfully promised me to go to Ardshiel, Hollyhock.'

'Oh yes, I 'll keep my word. I expect I 'm a bit of a dare-devil;
there is something very wicked in me, Auntie Cecilia.'

'I know there is, child. You need Divine guidance.'

'I won't be lectured,' said Hollyhock, getting very cross all