i, which were on sale in a room next to the
restaurant, and would have spent half an hour over their purchases had
not Miss Morley collected her flock and insisted on a homeward start.
Poor little Desiree slept all the way back in the tramcar, with her head
on Stella's shoulder, and most of the party were in much more sober
spirits than when they had started. All felt, however, that it was a
never-to-be-forgotten experience.

"I'd adore to go again sometime," ventured Lorna, clasping a model of a
Pompeian lamp, which her chum had given her for a souvenir.

"So would I," agreed Irene. "Miss Morley calls this 'part of our
education,' and I think it's a very sensible way of teaching things. I
hope she'll take us to other places."

"You'll get Vesuvius if your conduct sheet is all right."

"Oh, lovely! I'd rather go there than even to Pompeii."

"The same this child," chipped in Delia. "Renie, I guess you and I will
have to shake ourselves up and reform for a week or two. We were in Miss
Morley's black book to-day, and if we don't take care we shall be left
out of the next excursion."

"I'll be an absolute saint," promised Irene. "You'll see me sprouting
wings. I'm going to draw a physical map of the world and mark in all the
principal volcanoes, and then show it to Miss Morley. She'll think it so
brainy of me and be so glad I'm interested in the subject. She'd really
feel I ought to see Vesuvius after that."

"You schemer! It's not a bad idea though, and perhaps I'll do the same,
though I hate drawing maps. Hello! Is this the piazza? I'd no idea we'd
got back to Fossato so soon. Yes, it's been a 'happy day,' but I feel
all I want now is supper and bed."

CHAPTER IX

Reprisals

It was immediately after this that Peachy, who was always doing
imprudent things and running risks, went a little too far and caught a
severe chill. She was moved into the sanatorium, a room at the top of
the house, and spent three quite happy days in bed, reading books and
magazines, and drinking hot lemonade, which was Miss Rodgers' favorite
remedy for a cold. When she was certified as free from any infection, a
few of her special chums were allowed to visit her. She petitioned
specially for Jess, Delia, and Irene. They found her propped up with
pillows, and looking very charming in a pale pink dressing-jacket and
her hair tied back with a broad ribbon.

"Thanks very much. I'm sitting up and taking nourishment," she grinned,
i