ve in Kirkstone,
but it is only moderately good. I can't be too glad for you to have this
opportunity of going to a better one. Give me your stockings, dear, and
the workbasket; I've a corner I want to fill up here."

Patty sat watching her mother's deft fingers in silence for a moment or
two, only handing her from time to time the things which she required.
She gave a little sigh of satisfaction as she saw all her belongings
stowed away in the big box; she had never had so many new possessions in
her life before, and in the pleasure of owning them felt some slight
compensation for the wrench of parting from home. The two useful
navy-blue serge skirts, with their accompanying blouses, the pretty
brown velvet dress for Sundays, the flowered delaine for evenings, and
the white muslin for school parties, not to mention the hats, coats, and
the numberless small articles needed for a girl going away by herself,
all represented much thought and some self-denial on the part of her
mother, who had made a great effort to send her nicely equipped, and had
toiled hard to finish everything in time.

"I don't believe anybody could have a prettier nightdress case or
brush-and-comb bag than this," said Patty, proudly smoothing the lace
edging which she had helped to stitch on herself; "and the clothes bag
is a perfect beauty. Here's the little cash-box, Mother. It seems such a
funny thing to have to take to school. I haven't any 'valuables' to put
into it, except my pocket money, and you said Miss Lincoln would take
care of that. Why must it have two keys?"

"In case you lose one, I suppose. No doubt Miss Lincoln is well
accustomed to schoolgirls' careless ways. You can keep your brooches
inside it, and your locket and chain. Now give me your serviette ring
and your collars, and don't forget that I've put the boot laces in your
workbasket."

"I wonder if I shall unpack by myself, or if anyone will come to help
me," said Patty.

"You'll soon find out what is expected, and of course Muriel will be
able to tell you everything. It's so very nice for you to have your
cousin at the school. You'll have a friend there already."

Patty's face fell.

"I'm not sure, Mother," she said, rather hesitatingly. "The truth is,
I'm afraid Muriel doesn't want me to go. She was so queer and offhand
about it when I was staying at Thorncroft; she wouldn't talk of it at
all, though Aunt Lucy did. Somehow I think she won't like me to be at
the same s