ce.

But Miss Tredgold was not the sort of person to be influenced by soft
words. "Deeds, not words," was her motto.

"You have said enough, Penelope," she said. "Take your choice; you may be
a schoolroom child for a month if you like."

"I wouldn't if I were you, Pen," said Josephine.

"But I will," said Penelope.

In her heart of hearts she was terrified at the thought of the
schoolroom, but even more did she fear the knowledge that nurse would
laugh at her if she returned to the nursery.

"I will stay," she said. "I am a schoolroom child;" and she pirouetted
round and round Aunt Sophia.

"But, please, Aunt Sophia," said Verena, "who is going to teach us?"

"I intend to have that honor," said Miss Tredgold.

If there were no outward groans among her assembled nieces at these
words, there were certainly spirit groans, for the girls did not look
forward to lessons with Aunt Sophia.

"You are all displeased," she said; "and I am scarcely surprised. The
fact is, I have not got any efficient teacher to come here just yet. The
person I should wish for is not easy to find. I myself know a great deal
more than you do, and I have my own ideas with regard to instruction. I
may as well tell you at once that I am a very severe teacher, and
somewhat cranky, too. A girl who does not know her lessons is apt to find
herself seated at my left side. Now, my right side is sunshiny and
pleasant; but my left side faces due northeast. I think that will explain
everything to you. We will meet in the schoolroom to-morrow at nine
o'clock sharp. Now I must go."

When Miss Tredgold had vanished the girls looked at each other.

"Her northeast side!" said Pauline. "It makes me shudder even to think of
it."

But notwithstanding these remarks the girls did feel a certain amount of
interest at the thought of the new life that lay before them. Everything
had changed from that sunny, languorous, _dolce far niente_ time a
fortnight back. Now the girls felt keen and brisk, and they knew well
that each moment in the future would be spent in active employment.

The next day, sharp at nine o'clock, the young people who were to form
Miss Tredgold's school entered the new schoolroom. It was suitably and
prettily furnished, and had a charming appearance. Large maps were hung
on the walls; there was a long line of bookshelves filled partly with
story books, partly with history books, and partly with ordinary lesson
books. The windows were drap