t nurse.

"The seaside didn't agree with her," said Pen. "Nor does the fuss, nor
the petting, nor the nice food, nor anything else of that sort. The only
thing that agrees with Paulie is me. She likes to have me with her, and I
understand her. But never mind about Paulie now. I want to ask you a
question. Am I the sort of little girl that lions would crunch up?"

"I never!" cried nurse. "You are the queerest child!"

"But am I, nursey? Speak."

"I suppose so, Miss Pen."

"I thought so," answered Pen, with a sigh. "I thought as much. I am bad
through and through, then. They never eat good uns. You know that, don't
you, nursey? They wouldn't touch Marjorie, though she is so round and so
white and so fat; and they wouldn't look at Adelaide or Josephine, or any
of those dull ones of the family; but they'd eat me up, and poor Paulie.
Oh! they'd have a nice meal on Paulie. Thank you, nursey. I am glad I
know."

"What is the child driving at?" thought nurse as Penelope marched away.
"Would lions crunch her up, and would they crunch up Miss Paulie? Mercy
me! I wouldn't like any of us to be put in their way. I do hope Miss Pen
won't go off her head after a time; she is too queer for anything. But
what is wrong with Miss Pauline? I don't like what she said about Miss
Pauline."

When nurse saw Pauline she liked matters even less. For though her dearly
beloved young lady looked quite well in health, her eyes were no longer
bright, and she did not take the slightest interest in the different
things which the children had to show her. When asked if she would not
like to visit the stables, now in perfect restoration, and see for
herself those darling, most angelic creatures that went by the names of
Peas-blossom and Lavender, she said she was tired and would rather sit in
the rocking-chair on the lawn.

The others, accompanied by Aunt Sophia, went off to view the ponies; and
then at the last moment Pen came back. She flung herself on the ground at
Pauline's feet.

"I has quite made up my mind for ever and ever," she said. "Not even
lions will drag it from me."

"What?" asked Pauline.

"Why, all that I know: about who stole the thimble, and about the picnic
on the birthday, and about what Briar and Patty did, and about you,
Paulie, and all your wicked, wicked ways. I meant to tell once, but I
will never tell now. So cheer up; even lions won't drag it from me."

Pauline put her hand to her forehead.

"I keep having thes