e,' said Celestina. 'That's where I
used to go to school, but I didn't like it much--they played such noisy
games and they were all so smart. And once I went to Nelly Tasker's, and
that was nice, but they've left Seacove a long time ago.'

Mrs. Fairchild looked at Celestina in some surprise. It was seldom the
little girl was so communicative, especially to strangers. But then, as
she said to her husband afterwards--

'Miss Vane is a very sweet girl, and the little one chatters as if she'd
known you for years. They certainly have a very friendly way with them:
I couldn't exactly wonder at Celestina.'

'I'll ask mamma. You'll see if I don't,' said Biddy, nodding her head
with determination. 'And please, Celestina, do let me see your
doll-room, if that's what you call it?'

'May I fetch it, mother?' asked the child. But at that moment Randolph
put his head in at the door.

'We must be going,' he said. 'Come along, girls. I've got the parcel.
Thank you,' he added to Mrs. Fairchild, 'and good-morning.'

Alie and Biddy turned to follow him. But first they shook hands with
Celestina and her mother.

'I'm so sorry,' said Biddy, 'not to see the dolls' room. Wouldn't Rough
wait a minute, Alie?'

'No,' the elder sister replied. 'We've been out a good while and there's
no reason for waiting now the parcel's ready.'

'Well I'll come again. You'll let me, won't you?' said Bride, and not
content with shaking hands, she held up her round rosy mouth for a kiss.

'Bless you, love,' kind Mrs. Fairchild could not resist saying, as she
stooped to her.

'She is a very nice mamma, isn't she, Alie?' said Biddy with
satisfaction, when they found themselves out in the street again.

'Yes,' said Rosalys. But she spoke rather absently. She was wondering
what made Bridget so nice sometimes, and sometimes so very tiresome and
heedless.

'I wonder if it would have been better for her if she was more like that
little Celestina,' she thought. 'I'm sure they're very strict with her,
and yet I'm sure she's very fond of her mother and very obedient. But it
must be rather a dull life for a little girl, only she seems so womanly;
as if she really felt she was useful.'

It was almost dinner-time--their dinner-time, that is to say--when the
children reached the Rectory, and there was something of a scramble to
get hands washed, hair smoothed, and thick boots changed so as to be in
time and not keep papa and mamma waiting. Randolph came into t