to breakfast at six o'clock, and they must send me back in the car,
bicycle and all."

"Did you put that in the letter you sent by the chauffeur?"

"Yes. Miss Todd didn't ask to read it. I reckon they'll have a nice
little meal waiting. If I can manage to slip in here before the gong
sounds for prayers, nobody need know a word about it except you,
Loveday, and I trust you not to tell."

"It's frightfully against my conscience," faltered Loveday doubtfully.

"Oh! Suppose you had a brother or a cousin of your own who was going out
to the front, wouldn't you want to say just one word of good-bye?
Especially when you hadn't seen him for a year! It isn't as if I were
doing anything that Father and Mother would be angry about. And Cousin
Cora will send me back in the car."

"It really is red-tape of Miss Todd," murmured Loveday yieldingly.

"Then you'll promise? Oh, good! What a sport you are! Help me on with my
coat. No, I don't need a scarf--it's quite warm. I must take my watch,
though."

The girls drew aside the curtains and looked out of the window. It was
only about half-past four; the stars were shining, and there was a thin,
horned moon hanging in the east, its radiant rim turned towards the spot
where the day would break. No hint of dawn was yet in the air, though
curlews were calling from the meadows by the lake. Bushes and garden
paths were plainly distinguished in the starlight.

"It'll be light soon," said Diana, "and, at any rate, I can see quite
well enough to ride. I shall just enjoy spinning along."

"Be careful going down hills," urged Loveday. "By the by, you're on the
early practising-list this morning--had you forgotten?"

"Oh, kafoozalum! So I am! Suppose Bunty comes to see why the piano's
silent? Well, I can't help it! I'm going! Do the best you can for me,
won't you?"

The close ivy which grew up the side of the house had stems as thick as
tent-posts. Diana let herself down over the sill, found a footing, and
descended hand over hand with the agility of a middy. Wendy's bicycle
was leaning against the wall at the bottom. She took it, and waved
good-bye to Loveday, then walked along the side-path that led to the
gate. A minute later she was free-wheeling down the hill that led
through the village in the direction of Petteridge Court. Loveday,
shaking her head, went back to bed.

"I'm thankful I'm not a prefect, or I should have felt bound to stop
her," she reflected. "If I'd had a brother