ve something to do with a person who wanted a ladder.
What was she going to do with it?

"I must climb without," said Antonia. "I wonder are there creepers."

"What do you want with it?" said Nan in quite a friendly tone.

"I want to get into Susan Drummond's room by her window."

"Oh, dear, what fun!" Nan's eyes danced.

"She is sound asleep," pursued Antonia, "and I propose to use the wet
sponge with effect."

"They did that at school," replied Nan. "How lovely! Oh, how perfectly
lovely! I'm sure I can help you to find a ladder. Come round with me to
the farmyard."

Nan held out her hand, which Antonia grasped. They rushed across the
lawn helter-skelter, and in an incredibly short space of time a ladder
was leaning up against Susy's window. Nan held it from below while
Antonia climbed. The next moment she had entered the room.

"Thank you heartily, Nan," she called to the little girl.

She made a good deal of noise, but Susy, lying on her back in the centre
of the big bed, was impervious to sound. Antonia filled the sponge with
cold water, and, standing at the foot of the bed, dashed it at Susy. The
first application only made the sleeper groan and snore heavily, but at
the second she opened her eyes, and at the third she sat up.

"Now, what is the matter?" she exclaimed. "Am I back at that detestable
school with the she-dragon once more? Oh, Antonia, what in the world are
you doing here?"

"Sponging you," said Antonia. "I have something to say, so wake up."

"Wake up?" replied Susy. "I should think I am awake. Who could stand
such barbarous treatment? I was so comfortable, and I had locked the
door to make all things perfectly safe. How in the world did you get
into the room?"

"By a ladder, through the open window. Now pray don't waste any more
time over trivial details. I have come here to have a serious talk with
you."

"Why serious, Tony? You know how I hate grave subjects."

"I have come to have a quiet talk with you about the Towers; you can sit
there, just where you are. Don't dry your hair, or you'll get sleepy
again. I'll keep a basin of cold water near me and sponge you whenever
you wink an eyelid. Now then, what do you think of the Towers?"

"I have scarcely seen it yet."

"You must have a first impression; what is it?"

"Really, Tony, you needn't have awakened me and gone to the trouble of a
ladder, and an open window, and a sponge, for the sake of hearing my
first impressions."

"