ing mad! No thanks to
you that every bone in your body isn't broken. I wonder what Miss
Phipps would have said if she had come in, while you were pirouetting on
the mantelpiece! It would have been your turn to be surprised then, my
young friend."

"I n-n-never did see such a sight in all my born days," stuttered Flora
blankly. "You've made me feel quite ill. My heart is pumping like an
engine. I thought every moment you would be killed. I call it mean and
unkind to ask us to look on, while you play such tricks, for you know
very well we should be blamed if anything went wrong! I'll never come
again, so you needn't trouble to ask me!"

"Pixie dear, it really is most dangerous! You might have sprained your
ankle a dozen times over. Promise me, promise me faithfully, that you
will never do it again!" pleaded Margaret gently; but Pixie shook her
head in obstinate fashion.

"Me dear, don't ask me! I'll tell you no stories. I've done it a dozen
times at home, and so have Bridgie and Esmeralda. It was a fine
handicap we had one night, boys against girls, and Bridgie the winner,
being so light on her feet. You wouldn't wish to forbid what my own
family approves." She drew herself up with an air of dignity as she
pronounced the last words, and skipped out of the room, as the quickest
way of closing the argument; but when tea-time arrived she was still
abeam with complacency, and pleasantly conscious of being the object of
an unusual amount of attention. The girls all looked at her and smiled
so kindly when they met her eye; jam and scones were pressed upon her
from half a dozen different quarters; Mademoiselle called her
"_cherie_," and even Miss Phipps said "dear." "Are you having a good
tea, dear?" "Won't you have another cup of tea, dear?" It was all very
pleasant and gratifying, and she felt convinced that the fame of her
exploit had spread over the school, and that even the teachers had been
unable to resist it.

She was strutting out of the dining-room at the conclusion of the meal,
when Miss Phipps laid a hand on her shoulder and said, "Come into my
room, Pixie," and a moment later she stood within the boudoir, staring
around with wide, astonished eyes. Mademoiselle had followed, and was
twisting her hands together, trying vainly not to cry. Miss Phipps
looked at her and made a little signal, but Mademoiselle only shook her
head, and held out her hands with a helpless gesture, and then Miss
Phipp