efore it's time to
dress up?"

Lottie referred the question to Margaret, who, as head girl, had been
busy thinking out plans for the enjoyment of her friends.

"I thought of asking if we might go to see the Cinematograph at the
Polytechnic," she replied. "Miss Phipps promised to take us some day,
and if we could do some shopping first, and have tea afterwards, it
would be a delightful way of spending the afternoon. There is one thing
that we must buy while we have the chance, and that's a present for
Fraulein. Her birthday is next week, and she is such a kind old dear
that she deserves something nice. I want at least a shilling from
everyone, and as much more as they can afford. I wonder what we had
better get?"

"I know what she would love! A scent-bottle for her dressing-table like
the one Mademoiselle has. We could not afford one quite so good, but we
could get a very nice size for about two pounds. One day when I was in
Mademoiselle's room, Fraulein came in and took up the bottle, and began
admiring it, and saying how nice it was to get presents which were good
to look at, as well as to use. She has not many pretty things--poor
Fraulein!--and I think she would really enjoy a taste of luxury.
Mademoiselle has her initials engraven on the glass, but that would be
too expensive for us. We can have them on the stopper instead."

"And who gave Mademoiselle her bottle? Was it someone here?" asked
Pixie curiously, whereupon Kate tossed her head with an air of
exaggerated dismay.

"My dear, how can you? Don't say that to Mademoiselle, I implore you!
She would have a fit. _We_ are all commoners, and English commoners at
that, and the lady who gave her that precious bottle was Madame la
Marquise de Something or Other, the mother of her beloved pupil Isoult
Andree Adele Marie Therese--the most perfect, and beautiful, and clever,
and amiable _jeune fille_ that was ever created!" Kate paused, hitched
one shoulder to her ear, spread out her hands, and elevated her eyebrows
in ridiculous mimicry of Mademoiselle's mannerisms. "Did she evare
neglect her work? _Jamais_, nevare! Did she evare forget that she was
a _jeune fille_, and be'ave like a vild, rough boy? _Jamais_, _jamais_!
Was she evare like these Engleesh--rude, impairtinent, disobedient?
_Mais non_! Always the same--_cette ange_, the most wise, the most
amiable! And when she has finished her education and made her _debut_,
to be the most beautiful