lising, and wondering what excuse I
could make to leave her and fly off home across the fields. Then
suddenly came the sound of footsteps at the other side of the stile, and
who should come jumping over just before our very faces but Will Dudley
himself on his way home to lunch. He stared for a moment, hardly
recognising the two hat-less, dishevelled mortals squatted on the grass,
and then came forward to shake hands. The funny thing was that he came
to me first, and said, "How do you do?" and then just shook hands with
Rachel without ever saying a word. She didn't say anything either, but
I could see she was horribly embarrassed, thinking of her hair and the
strawberry leaves, and he looked at her and looked again as if he could
not understand what had happened.

I thought it would be fun to tell him all about it when we reached the
cross-roads, and Rachel left us alone. I was glad she was going another
way, because it's rather a nuisance having a stranger with you when you
want to talk, and I knew Mr Dudley very well by this time. He would be
so amused at the idea of the enjoyment lesson. I was looking forward to
our talk; but oh, dear, what horrid shocks one does get sometimes! I
shall never, never forget my feelings when we got to the corner, and he
held out his hand to me--me--Una Sackville, and walked calmly off with
Rachel Greaves.

It was not as if he had been going in her direction; his way home was
with me, so why on earth should he choose to go off with her? Are they
lovers, or friends, or what? Why did he take no notice of her at first,
then suddenly become so anxious for her society? It's not that I care a
scrap, but it seemed so rude! I've been as cross as two sticks all day.
Nothing annoys me more than to be disappointed in my friends!

Eleven o'clock. I was comfortably settled in bed when I suddenly
remembered resolution number two. The real reason that I am annoyed is
that I am conceited enough to think I am nicer than Rachel, and to want
Mr Dudley to think so too. How horrid it looks written down! I
believe it will do me heaps of good to have to look at plain truths
about myself in staring black and white. Perhaps Lorna is right after
all, and I have a greed for admiration! I'll turn over a new leaf and
be humble from this day.

CHAPTER FIVE.

_July 15th_.
I was not in the least interested to know anything about what