The newcomer had curled herself up comfortably in _her_ bed. Suddenly, to
her surprise, a voice said very quietly, without a flicker of expression
coming over the calm face, or the eyes even making an effort to open:

"Are you my new schoolmate?"

"Yes," said Hester, "I am sorry to say I am."

"Oh, don't be sorry, there's a good creature; there's nothing to be sorry
about. I'll stop snoring when I turn on my side--it's all right. I always
snore for half an hour to rest my back, and the time is nearly up. Don't
trouble me to open my eyes, I am not the least curious to see you. You
have a cross voice, but you'll get used to me after a bit."

"But you're in my bed," said Hester. "Will you please to get into your
own?"

"Oh, no, don't ask me; I like your bed best. I slept in it the whole of
last term. I changed the sheets myself, so it does not matter. Do you
mind putting my muddy boots outside the door, and folding up my
stockings? I forgot them, and I shall have a bad mark if Danesbury comes
in. Good-night--I'm turning on my side--I won't snore any more."

The heavy face was now only seen in profile, and Hester, knowing that
Miss Danesbury would soon appear to put out the candle, had to hurry into
the other bed as fast as she could; something impelled her, however, to
take up the muddy boots with two very gingerly fingers, and place them
outside the door.

She slept better this second night, and was not quite so startled the
next morning when the remorseless gong aroused her from slumber. The
maid-servant came in as usual to light the candles, and to place two cans
of hot water by the two wash-hand stands.

"You are awake, miss?" she said to Hester.

"Oh, yes," replied Hester almost cheerfully.

"Well, that's all right," said the servant. "Now I must try and rouse
Miss Drummond, and she always takes a deal of waking; and if you don't
mind, miss, it will be an act of kindness to call out to her in the
middle of your own dressing--that is, if I don't wake her effectual."

With these words, the housemaid approached the bed where the red-haired
girl lay again on her back, and again snoring loudly.

"Miss Drummond, wake, miss; it's half-past six. Wake up, miss--I have
brought your hot water."

"Eh?--what?" said the voice in the bed, sleepily; "don't bother me,
Hannah--I--I've determined not to ride this morning; go away"--then more
sleepily, and in a lower key, "Tell Percy he can't bring the dogs in
here."