wouldn't you answer Miss Phipps?"
cried Flora, unable to contain herself a moment longer; and Pixie drew
herself up, and tried to look dignified, a difficult achievement when
one is being forcibly undressed, and can hardly see out of red, swollen
eyelids.

"I told her I had not broken the bottle. I gave her a straight answer,
and that ought to be enough for any lady!"

"Don't talk such rubbish! This house is not yours, and if you go
wandering about into strange rooms, it is only right that you should be
made to explain. And it looks so bad when you refuse to answer. You
don't realise how bad it looks. After you left the room, Miss Phipps
asked if we had heard you say anything which would explain your going
into that room, and we all remembered--we didn't want to tell, but we
were obliged--we remembered that you said you intended to have a good
look at the scent-bottle."

"So I did, and I don't mind who you tell. I looked at it the very next
day, but I never lifted it once. I was too afraid I'd be hurting it,
and it was all right long after that--Mademoiselle said so herself!"

The three girls looked at each other quickly, and as quickly averted
their eyes. Ethel gave a toss to her curls, and walked off to her
cubicle. Kate went on unhooking with relentless haste, and Flora sat
down heavily on the edge of the bed, and melted into tears.

"I wish scent-bottles had never been invented! I wish that old marquise
had had more sense than to spend her money on a thing that would break
if you looked at it! I know how easy it would be. I've broken lots of
things myself. Mother always said to us when we were children, `Don't
be afraid to tell me if you've had an accident. I will never scold you
if you tell the truth, but if I find out that you have hidden anything
from me I shall be extremely angry.' Lots of girls tell stories just
because they are frightened, especially little ones, and when they are
strange, too, and don't know people well. But we all love you, Pixie,
really and truly we do! We won't turn against you. Oh, do tell! Do
tell! Tell Kate and me now before we go to bed, and we will help you
to-morrow."

"Will Miss Phipps talk to me again to-morrow? Will she be cross again?
Will Mademoiselle be cross?" cried Pixie fearfully. "Oh, what will I
do? What will I do? No one was ever cross with me at home. I'll run
away in the night and swim over to Ireland. They'd welcome me there if
I'd sma