se, after you spoke to him," Miss
Minerva answered, "I should not have felt the anxiety which troubles me
now. I don't like his going to Mrs. Gallilee afterwards--especially when
you tell me of that change in her manner towards you. Yours is a vivid
imagination, Carmina. Are you sure that it has not been playing you any
tricks?"

"Perfectly sure."

Miss Minerva was not quite satisfied. "Will you help me to feel as
certain about it as you do?" she asked. "Mrs. Gallilee generally looks
in for a few minutes, while the children are at dinner. Stay here, and
say something to her in my presence. I want to judge for myself."

The girls came in. Maria's perfect toilet, reflected Maria's perfect
character. She performed the duties of politeness with her usual happy
choice of words. "Dear Carmina, it is indeed a pleasure to see you again
in our schoolroom. We are naturally anxious about your health. This
lovely weather is no doubt in your favour; and papa thinks Mr. Null
a remarkably clever man." Zo stood by frowning, while these smooth
conventionalities trickled over her sister's lips. Carmina asked what
was the matter. Zo looked gloomily at the dog on the rug. "I wish I was
Tinker," she said. Maria smiled sweetly. "Dear Zoe, what a very strange
wish! What would you do, if you were Tinker?" The dog, hearing his name,
rose and shook himself. Zo pointed to him, with an appearance of the
deepest interest. _"He_ hasn't got to brush his hair, before he goes
out for a walk; _his_ nails don't took black when they're dirty. And, I
say!" (she whispered the next words in Carmina's ear) _"he_ hasn't got a
governess."

The dinner made its appearance; and Mrs. Gallilee followed the dinner.
Maria said grace. Zo, always ravenous at meals, forgot to say Amen.
Carmina, standing behind her chair, prompted her. Zo said "Amen; oh,
bother!" the first word at the top of her voice, and the last two in a
whisper. Mrs. Gallilee looked at Carmina as she might have looked at
an obtrusive person who had stepped in from the street. "You had better
dress before luncheon," she suggested, "or you will keep the carriage
waiting." Hearing this, Zo laid down her knife and fork, and looked over
her shoulder. "Ask if I may go with you," she said. Carmina made the
request. "No," Mrs. Gallilee answered, "the children must walk. My maid
will accompany you." Carmina glanced at Miss Minerva on leaving the
room. The governess replied by a look. She too had seen the c