ords, that Rhoda was startled into attention, and turned her eyes upon
him in wonder.

"My--future--education? Why, what do you--what am I going to do?"

"We have been considering the advisability of sending you to school.
You are nearly sixteen, and have been educated at home all your life,
and now that Fraulein cannot return I feel strongly that it would be for
your good to spend a couple of years at school among girls of your own
age. Your mother naturally dreads the parting, and fears that you would
be unhappy, but Harold thinks that you would enjoy the experience. What
is your own impression? Do you dislike the idea, or feel inclined
towards it?"

Rhoda meditated, and her mother watched her with wistful eyes. At the
first mention of the word "school" the girl had started with surprise,
and her eyes had looked wide and puzzled, but now as she stood
deliberating, it was not dismay, but rather pleasure and excitement,
that showed in her face. The eyes gleamed complacently, the dimple
dipped, the fair head tilted itself, and Rhoda said slowly--

"I think I should--_like_ it! It would be a--change!"

Alas for Mrs Chester, and alas for every mother in that sharp moment
when she realises that the nestling which she has been keeping so safe
and warm is already beginning to find the nest too narrow for its
ambitions, and is longing to fly away into the big, wide world! Two
salt tears splashed on to the satin gown, but no one saw them, for the
girl was engrossed in her own feelings, while Mr Chester was saying
brightly--

"That's my brave girl! I knew you would be no coward."

Harold watched his sister with mingled pity and amusement.

"They'll take it out of her! They'll take it out of her! Poor little
Ro! Won't she hate it, and won't it do her good!" he said to himself,
shrewdly. "And, after the first, I shouldn't wonder if she became a
prime favourite!"

Rhoda seated herself on a crimson plush chair, and folded her hands on
her knees, in an attitude of expectation. She was an impetuous young
person, and could brook no delay when once her interest was aroused.
School having been mentioned as a possibility of the future, it became
imperative to settle the matter off-hand.

Which school? When? Who would take her? What would she have to buy?
What were the rules? When were the holidays? How long would they be?
Where would she spend them?--One question succeeded another in
breathless succession, m