ucha, in fact, found herself in her old position in the school, and
the only one who timidly made advances towards her was Daisy Watson.

'I don't want you; go away,' said the angry Leucha.

'I 'm going,' said Daisy. 'I have plenty of friends in the school now
myself, for Hollyhock has taken me up.'

'What!' cried Leucha. 'How dare she?'

'Well, she chooses to. I 'm to act in a charade to-night which she has
composed, and which will be rare fun. She's so sweet and so forgiving,
Leucha, that I think she 'd love you as much as ever, if only you
weren't so desperately jealous.'

'I'm not jealous. I'm a terribly wronged girl. There was a trick
played on me which might have cost me my life. I'll have to tell my
poor mother that this is a very wicked school.'

'Well, please yourself,' said Daisy. 'I must be off. It's rather fun,
the part I have to play. I 'm to be called the _kitchen cat_!'

'You--you--how dare you?'

'We are all acting as different animals. There are twelve of us who
are taking parts in the charade, and dear Hollyhock is to be the ghost.
She 'll stalk in, in her ghostly garments, and create a great sensation
amongst the animals. We would not have done it if we had known that
you were coming back, Leuchy, being but too well aware of your terrible
nervousness about ghosts, even when the ghosts are only make-believe.'

'Well, what next?' cried Leucha. 'I never heard of anything so wicked.
I must speak at once to Mrs Macintyre, and have the horrid thing
stopped.'

'All right. But I do not think your words will have any effect now,'
said Daisy. 'The matter is arranged, and cannot be altered. Mrs
Macintyre thinks the whole thing the greatest fun in the world. I can
tell you that I am enjoying myself vastly, although I was so miserable
at first when you and I sat all alone; but now I am having a first-rate
time. I have told you about the charade, Leucha, because I thought it
only right to warn you. If you prefer it, you need not be a spectator.'

'What next?' repeated Leucha. 'I am to lose the fun of seeing
Hollyhock disgrace herself. I shall certainly do nothing of the kind.
I will be present, and perhaps take her down a peg. But leave me now,
Daisy; only let me inform you that you are a nasty, mean little brat.'

'Thanks,' said Daisy; 'but I am enjoying myself mightily all the same.'

Daisy scampered away all too willingly; and Hollyhock, advised by her
sister, took no notice o