was drawing to a close, when one morning
there came a letter from Miss Unity. It contained an invitation to
Pennie to stay three days at Nearminster, and ended with these words:

"If my god-daughter has her little friend still with her, I shall be
glad to see her also, if she would like to come."

Now it happened that this suggestion of Miss Unity's came at a
wonderfully convenient moment; for it had been arranged already that
Ethelwyn's governess should meet her at the Nearminster station in three
days' time, and take her back to London. She would now go from Miss
Unity's house instead of from Easney, and Mrs Hawthorn was not at all
sorry to think that the children would be separated a little earlier
than was first intended.

So, with many cautions not to be troublesome, not to talk in bed, and
not to touch the china, she told the little girls that they were to go
to Nearminster. The news quickly spread through the family, and caused
a deep but secret joy to the other children, for they were very tired of
Ethelwyn; nevertheless they restrained any expression of their pleasure
until the day of departure, when they gathered at the white gate to see
the wagonette pass. The little girls were feeling even more dignified
and grown-up than usual, for it was a great event to drive over to
Nearminster quite alone; therefore it was all the more trying to be
greeted by a derisive song:

"Hurray, hurray, hurray!
Ethelwyn is gone away!"

screamed the shrill voices, even Dickie doing her best to swell the
chorus. It was so loud that it sounded a long way up the road; and
Ethelwyn's favourite remark, "How very vulgar!" did not disguise it in
the least.

The first day at Nearminster was fine and bright, and the children found
plenty to entertain them. It was all new to Ethelwyn; and to Pennie,
although she knew them so well, every object had an ever fresh interest.
They went into the market with Miss Unity in the morning, and watched
her buy a chicken, fresh eggs, and a cauliflower, which she carried home
herself in a brown basket. Then in the afternoon Bridget was allowed to
take the children into the town that they might see the shops, and that
Pennie might spend her money. For she had brought with her the contents
of her money-box, which amounted to fivepence-halfpenny, and intended to
lay out this large sum in presents for everyone at home. It was an
anxious as well as a difficult matter to do this to the best