en my suspense, but I whispered
"Thank you, Aunt Lois," in a husky voice, and I fancy by the way my aunt
again looked at me that she saw there were tears in my eyes. And the
next day we went home.

Chapter III

[Illustration: MY PINK PET

"One day I was playing as usual in my own little room, when the door
suddenly opened--" P. 43]

AFTER this I grew fonder than ever of my pink pet. But at the same time
I was more careful than before to let no one know of my queer fancy.
Emilia's remarks had alarmed me, for I had had no idea that she had
noticed my treasure. I could not bear being laughed at, and I intensely
dreaded my brothers getting hold of the story and playing me some trick
which might deprive me of my favourite. I never played with my shells
except when I was quite alone, and deeply regretted there being no key
to the lock of my room, by which I might have secured myself against
intruders. But as I had always been in the habit of playing a great deal
by myself, and had always, too, been quiet and reserved, no one took any
special notice of me or my occupations, particularly as every one in the
house was just then much occupied with preparations for the approaching
marriage of my second sister, Margaret. So I spent hours and hours by
myself--or rather not by myself, for I had for my companions far more
wonderful beings than were ever dreamt of anywhere save in a child's
brain, and with my pink pet went through more marvellous adventures by
far than Munchausen himself.

One day I was playing as usual in my own little room, when the door
suddenly opened and Emilia and Margaret came in. They were both
laughing. I started up in terror and threw my handkerchief over the
little group of shells, who had just been performing a tournament on a
cane-bottomed chair, on the seat of which, with an old piece of French
chalk, I had marked out the lists, the places for spectators, and the
dais of honour for the queen, represented of course by my rose-coloured
shell.

"What are you doing, Lois?" said Emilia.

"Nothing, at least only playing," I said confusedly.

"We didn't suppose you were doing anything naughty," said Margaret.
"Don't look so frightened. Let us see what you are playing at."

I hesitated.

"Come now," said Emilia laughingly, "do let us have it. You had got as
far as--let me see what was it, 'Oh ladye fair, I kneel before thee,'
wasn't that it, Margaret?"

I turned upon her in sudden fury. But bef