now getting very near to the end of the term, and all at The
Priory were beginning to look forward to the long summer holidays.
Speech Day, always a great occasion, was this year to be of more than
usual importance, as the prizes were to be distributed by Sir John
Carston, the Member of Parliament for the County, whose wife was also to
be present.

"And of course hosts of parents and friends," said Enid, "to clap and
look pleased and say pretty things about us. My mother and my eldest
sister are coming, and Avis's father and mother, and Winnie's aunt, and
ever so many relations of other girls. They're to stay at the Queen's
Hotel, and they'll have quite a jolly time, I expect. They're allowed to
invite us to afternoon tea there the day before, if they like, so I
shall get Mother to ask you with me, if none of your own people will be
over."

"I'm afraid my father and mother will be too busy to come," said Patty,
"but I believe Muriel expects Uncle Sidney and Aunt Lucy."

"Then they are sure to ask you, so I shan't have a chance after all.
What a pity! I wanted you to meet Mother and Adeline. Never mind! It
doesn't matter, because---- But that's a secret."

"What's a secret?" enquired Patty.

"I shan't tell. Yes, I think I must. I really can't keep it bottled up
any longer. I wrote home to ask Mother if she would invite you to come
and stay with us during the holidays."

"Perhaps she won't want me."

"I'm sure she will. She hasn't had time to answer my letter yet, but I
know she'll say 'Yes' at once, especially when she's seen you. Would you
come, dear?"

"I'd love to," said Patty, "if they say 'Yes' at home too."

"Oh, I hope they will! We'd have the most glorious time together. You've
never been in Devonshire, and our house is close to the sea. We bathe
every day in summer, and swim out to a little rocky island sometimes.
Then we go for picnics on the moors, and have gipsy teas in the woods.
It's such fun to light a fire, and boil the kettle ourselves. And we
have two little rough ponies; one belongs to the boys, but I could
borrow a side-saddle for it from the Rectory, and then we could both go
for a ride together."

"Oh, it would be delightful!" said Patty, her eyes shining at the
prospect. "But I don't think you ought to have told me yet, when I
haven't really been invited."

"It doesn't matter, because I'm sure you will be. I've told Mother so
much about you. Oh, I wish the term would end quickly, and