fishing-rod, had been recovered from the moat. Though rather
crushed and spoilt they were quite wearable. She felt herself again when
she had put them on. Mrs. Elliot sent a servant to conduct the young
people to the lodge, and order the gate to be unlocked for their exit.
She received their renewed apologies and thanks in the same calm manner
in which she had greeted them.

"I hope the photos will come out well," were her last words, as she
stood at the door watching them walk across the bridge.

When Lenox and Diana returned to the inn, and burst upon the rest of the
party, who were having breakfast, their extraordinary story was at first
scarcely believed.

"Bunkum, my boy!" said Giles, shaking his head.

But the two witnesses gave such a circumstantial account of their
adventure that incredulity turned to amazement, and then amusement.

"You cheeky young cubs!" declared Mr. Hewlitt. "I think Mrs. Elliot was
far too good to you."

"You got more than you deserved; but I'm grateful to her for drying you,
Diana," commented Mrs. Hewlitt.

"I wish we'd been with you," said Giles. "You've had all the luck."

As the car was now repaired, the party once more packed up their
baggage, and set forth for the short remainder of their tour. Lenox's
leave was nearly over; Giles would be due in London next week; and Mr.
Hewlitt's business in Paris was not yet concluded. After another day's
enjoyment they parted at Cheltenham, and sent the girls back to school
by train.

"We shan't forget you, dear," said Mrs. Hewlitt to Loveday, as she saw
them off. "You must come and see us again some time--perhaps in
America. Take care of my little Diana for me--won't you?"

"I will--I will, indeed! Oh, I don't know how to thank you! It's been
just the absolute time of my life!" said Loveday, leaning out of the
carriage window as she waved good-bye.

CHAPTER XVII

The Green-eyed Monster

With the summer term came a period of great outdoor activity at
Pendlemere. Miss Chadwick, Miss Carr, and Miss Ormrod were tremendously
busy on the land, and gave the school a thorough initiation into the
principles of gardening. The girls studied birds, noted what insects
they ate, and how useful they were in a garden; they learned the
life-histories of certain insects, and the causes of some plant
diseases; they organized an amateur weather bureau, and kept charts of
the progress of their crops. Everybody agreed that the new regime was