u are
forbidden," she said. "The tub is used by the gardener for storing
water, and no doubt with the rainy days we had in September it has
accumulated a good deal of mud as well. I will take care that the
wheelbarrow is recovered and washed, and I shall expect you both to
apologize to Sadie. It is one of the rules of the school that the
girls should respect each other's property. You may go now, but do not
let this happen again."

Rejoiced to escape so easily, the children fled, eager to describe
their adventure to the rest of the class, who were brimming over with
curiosity after the hurried account which had been whispered by Linda
at dinner and passed on by the next girl with so many variations that
the general version was that Sylvia had taken a ride in the gardener's
barrow and fallen down a well. There was scarcely any time before
afternoon school, but they managed to give a proper explanation and
thoroughly enjoyed the telling and the effect it produced. Marian
Woodhouse might turn up her nose and call them babies, but she
listened all the same, and, Sylvia could not help thinking, was just a
little jealous to find them the centre of so much interest.

[Illustration: "SYLVIA WROTE HER FIRST LETTER HOME THAT EVENING"]

Sylvia wrote her first letter home that evening after tea, and found
she had such an amount to put in it she hardly knew how to begin. It
ran thus:

"HEATHERCLIFFE HOUSE,
"_October 5th_.

"MY DARLING MOTHER AND FATHER,

"I am much happier than I expected. This morning I fell into a
tub full of mud and spoilt all my clothes. Miss Coleman is going
to have my new dress washed, but she does not think it will ever
look nice again. I am wearing my green merino. I like Linda
immensely. She has read the sequel to _Eight Cousins_ although
it is a love story and she is only eleven. I wish I might. We
are going to have a garden together. Will you please send me
some bulbs to plant in it. Marian Woodhouse said I did not know
how to spell last night, but I only had three mistakes in
dictation this morning and she had four. Miss Arkwright says my
writing is bad. She has given me a new copybook. Miss Coleman
took my box of toffee away and locked it up in a cupboard. She
says I may have some on Saturday. I hope Dicky is well. Please
do not forget to give him his groundsel. There is a black kitten
here with white paws and a white t