was left out of the party--not one.

It was all perfectly arranged, even the weather conspiring to further
the good time, with a beautifully clear day and the air turned mild,
with a promise of the coming spring. The snow was beginning to waste,
yet the sleighing held fine and the city stables had been ransacked to
obtain the most gorgeous outfits with the safest drivers.

Thirty handsome sleighs with their floating plumes and luxurious
robes, drawn by thirty spans of beautiful horses was the alluring
procession which entered Oak Knowe grounds on the eventful Saturday;
and three hundred happy girls, each in her best attire piled into
them. Yes, and one small boy! For who could bear to leave behind that
one last child of the great family? And a boy who in but a week's time
had learned to clean shoes so well and promptly?

So clad in his new suit, of the school's uniform, "Such as all we men
folks wear"--as he had proudly explained to his mother when he first
appeared in this before her--and with a warm top-coat and cap to
match, the happy youngster rode in the leading sleigh in which sat
Lady Jane herself.

Of how those happy young folks took possession of the exhibition hall,
that had been reserved for them; and smiled or shuddered over the
lifelike images of famous men and women; and finally tore themselves
away from the glib tongue of the exhibitor and his fascinating
show--all this any schoolgirl reader can picture for herself.

Then of the dinner at the great hotel, in a beautiful room also
reserved that they might indulge their appetites as hunger craved
without fear or observation of other guests: the slow drive about the
city, and the swift drive home--with not one whit of the gayety dimmed
by any untoward accident.

"Oh! it's been a perfect success! Nothing has happened that should
not, and I believe that I've been the happiest girl of all! But such a
crowd of them. Better count your flock, Miss Tross-Kingdon, maybe, and
see if any are missing;" said Lady Jane as she stepped down at the Oak
Knowe door.

"I don't see how there could be, under your care, my Lady, but I'll
call a mental roll."

So she did. But the roll was not perfect. Two were missing. Why?

CHAPTER XVI

A PERPLEXING PROBLEM OF LIFE

Miss Tross-Kingdon entered Miss Hexam's room, looking so disturbed
that the latter asked:

"Why, Muriel, what is the matter?"

They two were of kin and called each other by their first names.