couldn't let you go
into a dirty cottage and see sick people, you know. You might catch all
sorts of complaints."

And to this, in spite of Philippa's angry arguments, Mrs Trevor remained
firm. It did not matter, she said, what Dennis and Maisie were allowed
to do at Fieldside, or how many poor people they went to see there. She
did not choose Philippa to have anything to do with sick people in
Upwell, and she could not listen to any more on the subject.

Philippa flew out of the room with her eyes full of tears, and her list
crumpled up in her hand, cast herself upon Miss Mervyn's neck, and told
her all this as well as she could for her sobs.

Miss Mervyn listened with sympathy.

"Did your mother say why she did not wish you to go?" she asked
presently.

"Because," said Philippa with difficulty, "she says I should catch
complaints. Dennis and Maisie don't catch complaints."

"Would you like me to go and hear what Mrs Trevor says?" suggested Miss
Mervyn kindly. "Perhaps I could explain things to her better; but you
must promise to be good and patient if your mother does not alter her
mind."

"I promise, I promise," said Philippa eagerly. "And if you will
persuade her, I will never, never be naughty again, and I will love you
always."

Miss Mervyn shook her head rather sadly. "Don't promise too much," she
said, as she left the room.

She had a difficult task before her, but she was so sincerely anxious to
help Philippa, that she was at last able to put the matter before Mrs
Trevor in a way which overcame her objections.

To begin with, it was a really good thing for Philippa to take an
interest in something outside herself. Already, since she had this plan
in her mind, she was more cheerful and contented. Then the little girl
she wished to see was not ill of any complaint which Philippa could
possibly catch, but had only strained her back. Then it would be quite
possible to ascertain whether the Tuvvys were decent people, and their
cottage fit for Philippa to enter. Miss Mervyn herself would go first
and observe everything carefully. And finally, the child had so set her
heart on making this visit, that it would be unwise to oppose it unless
absolutely necessary. At length, therefore, she returned to the
schoolroom, where she found Philippa curled up disconsolately in the
depths of an armchair.

"Well," she exclaimed, springing up, "may I go?" Then as she saw Miss
Mervyn smile, she flung her