argained for. Miss Lindsay's an absolute trump. I hate mean people who
hoard up their money and keep it all for themselves."

She confided her success to the others, but exacted a promise of strict
secrecy.

"We'll simply say Miss Lindsay has sent for the book," she advised. "I
believe Leonora would be capable of countermanding the order if she knew
the amount of the bill. It will be a surprise for her later on."

"And a ripping joke for us!"

"It's Miss Lindsay's fault, though. She named the edition."

"Oh, yes, of course! We understand that, my dear girl!"

The presents arrived by return of post, just in time for Miss Edith's
birthday--a splendid blotter of delicious-smelling leather, and the
edition of Christina Rossetti's poems, a large and handsome volume full
of beautiful illustrations. Miss Lindsay brought them into the Juniors'
sitting-room, and showed them to the delighted girls.

"It was so nice of you, Leonora dear, to think of giving such a lovely
gift to Miss Edith all on your own account," she remarked; "so
thoughtful to have fixed upon the very thing she wanted. You meant this
edition, of course? I knew I could hardly be mistaken. Miss Edith will
be particularly pleased that a new girl should show such appreciation.
The pictures are perfect gems. We'll wrap the book up again in its
various papers, and you must hide it carefully away until to-morrow.
Would you like to give me the fifteen shillings now, or will Miss
Poppleton stop it out of your allowance?"

Leonora's face was a study. Blank amazement struggled with disgust, and
for a moment she seemed almost tempted to deny all responsibility for
having given the order. Pride, however, at the sight of the sneer at
the corners of Dilys Fenton's mouth, came to her rescue. She knew the
girls had tricked her, and she was determined not to afford them the
satisfaction of an open triumph.

"Thank you very much, Miss Lindsay, for getting the book," she replied
calmly. "I'll give you the money now, please. I'm glad it's the edition
Miss Edith wants," and taking her parcel, she sailed from the room,
without deigning to glance at the others.

"Done her this time!" chuckled Dilys. "It'll do her good to shell out
for once."

"She took it awfully well, though! Perhaps on the whole she wasn't
altogether sorry. Miss Edie's such a dear, anyone would want to give her
nice things who'd got the money," sighed Gipsy, whose own offering was
limited to a little pen