ee. She kept a
basket concealed under her chair, in which was a species of mint-rock
very dear to our souls. We were not supposed to be allowed to buy any
such luxuries at The Hollies, but at this point of the proceedings Miss
Buller would kindly turn her back and pretend to take a deep interest in
the surrounding landscape, thinking perhaps that the nastiness of the
waters deserved some recompense. In my own case, I am certain the
combined flavours completely spoilt my breakfast. I was growing fast,
and was inclined to be a little fastidious about my food. Mrs. Marshall
held to the old-fashioned principle that we must finish everything that
was put upon our plates; a trying rule for me, for, like many children,
I had a horror of fat, and to have eaten it would, I think, almost have
choked me. Very fortunately I sat at table next to a girl named Marion
Burns, whose appetite was large and indiscriminate. The portions which I
viewed with dismay were to her insufficient, so I hit upon the happy
expedient of slipping a part of my dinner each day upon her plate, and,
like Jack Spratt and his wife, I was thus able to "leave the platter
clean". Strange to say my little manoeuvre was never discovered, even
by the watchful eyes of Miss Percy.

Miss Percy was Mrs. Marshall's right hand in all matters of discipline.
She was a lady of uncertain age, and even more uncertain temper; though,
as Cathy said, "It's not uncertain, because you may be quite sure it's
going to be disagreeable". She seemed to regard school-girls with
perpetual suspicion, and to have a perfect genius for pouncing down upon
us on the most inopportune occasions. Were we indiscreet enough to talk
in bed, Miss Percy was sure to be passing the door at the identical
moment; were we late for prayers, hoping to scuffle in unnoticed among
the servants, she was certain to be waiting for us in the hall. She had
a very lynx eye for missing buttons or untied shoe-laces, her long thin
nose smelled out directly the chestnuts we endeavoured to roast by the
school-room fire, and she could catch the lowest whisper in the
preparation hour.

"I think she must have eyes in the back of her head, and second sight as
well," said Janet, who was a frequent sufferer.

In spite of the strict rules I enjoyed my new life; the variety of the
school work, the excitement of the games, and the companionship of so
many girls of my own age, were far pleasanter to me than the quiet
humdrum of