mousy."

"Oh dear, how dignified we are! I shall begin to believe in the ancient
family if this sort of thing continues. But now, my dear, the moment has
come to help you. The hour has arrived when your own Nancy, vulgar as she
is, can lend you a helping hand. Listen."

"What?" said Pauline.

"Jump up, Paulie; take my hand, and you and I together will walk out
through that wicket-gate, and go back through the dear old Forest to The
Hollies, and spend the day at my home. There are my boy cousins from
London, and my two friends, Rebecca and Amelia Perkins--jolly girls, I
can tell you. We shall have larks. What do you say, Paulie? A fine fright
she'll be in when she misses you. Serve her right, though."

"But I daren't come with you," said Pauline. "I'd love it more than
anything in the world; but I daren't. You mustn't ask me. You mustn't try
to tempt me, Nancy, for I daren't go."

"I didn't know you were so nervous."

"I am nervous about a thing like that. Wild as I have been, and untrained
all my life, I do not think I am out-and-out wicked. It would be wicked
to go away without leave. I'd be too wretched. Oh, I daren't think of
it!"

Nancy pursed up her lips while Pauline was speaking; then she gave vent
to a low, almost incredulous whistle. Finally she sprang to her feet.

"I am not the one to try and make you forget your scruples," she said.
"Suppose you do this. Suppose you come at seven o'clock to-night. Then
you will be safe. You may be wicked, but at least you will be safe.
She'll never look for you, nor think of you again, when once you have
gone up to bed. You have a room to yourself, have you not?"

Pauline nodded.

"I thought so. You will go to your room, lock the door, and she will
think it is all right. The others won't care to disturb you. If they do
they'll find the door locked."

"But I am forbidden to lock my room door."

"They will call to you, but you will not answer. They may be angry, but I
don't suppose your sisters will tell on you, and they will only suppose you
are sound asleep. Meanwhile you will be having a jolly good time; for I can
tell you we are going to have sport to-night at The Hollies--fireworks,
games, plans for the future, etc., etc. You can share my nice bed, and go
back quite early in the morning. I have a lot to talk over with you. I want
to arrange about our midnight picnic."

"But, Nancy, we can't have a midnight picnic."

"Can't we? I don't see that at all. I