chool as herself."

"You must be mistaken, dear! Why, Uncle Sidney was so pleased with his
project, and said you were to take care of Muriel as if she were your
sister."

"I know he did; but all the same, I don't believe Muriel herself will
like it. She's never been very fond of me; Horace is always much jollier
when I go there. When Aunt Lucy said she hoped we should both be in the
same class, Muriel looked quite cross, and said of course I should be
lower down, as she had gone to school first, and girls who were in
different forms scarcely saw anything of each other; and then, when we
were out in the garden together, she said she didn't see why I must be
sent to The Priory, and surely there were other schools I could have
gone to."

"Never mind, dear! Perhaps she was a little out of temper that day, and
may prove nicer when you really arrive. You must try to keep friends
with her, even if she's not always quite pleasant. We mustn't forget
Uncle Sidney's kindness. I feel very grateful to him, for we couldn't
possibly have sent you to such an expensive school on our own account."

"I'll try," said Patty, "as far as she'll let me. If she were more like
Milly it would be much easier. Oh! how dreadfully I shall miss you and
Father, and Basil, and the little ones! I wish I could go to school and
take my family with me. I don't know how I'm to manage for thirteen
whole weeks without once seeing any of you. The time will never go by."

"Poor little woman!" said her mother. "It does seem hard, I know, but
you must look forward to meeting us all again, and the days will pass
much faster than you imagine."

"But, Mother darling, you'll have so much to do while I'm away. Who'll
help you with the children? Baby will almost have forgotten me by the
time I come back."

"No, he won't; he'll know you in a moment, and give you his biggest hug.
It's no use crying, Patty; young birds must leave the nest some time,
and learn to fly for themselves. We shall miss you as much as you miss
us, but we must brace our minds to bear it, because it's one of those
partings that have to come, and are for the best after all. Think what a
splendid thing it is for you to be going to such a school as Morton
Priory! I only wish I had had such advantages when I was a girl. You
must work hard, and make the very most of your time there."

"I'll do my best, but I'm not clever," said Patty, "and I'm afraid I
never shall be. Mother, dearest, you're act