e really ought to go; it's going to pour
like anything, and the girls will get wet.'

'I'm wet enough already, I think, especially about the feet,' murmured
Tricksy; while Marjorie's lips tightened. She did not like the boys to
show that they thought her less hardy than themselves.

Some large drops on the stones warned them to hasten; and they reached
the doctor's house just as the storm burst.

Mrs. MacGregor, a pretty, young-looking lady, ran down into the hall to
meet them.

'My dear Tricksy,' she cried, as she took the little girl's wet, cold
hand, 'you are soaking! Your feet are drenched!'

'It's all right, Mrs. MacGregor,' piped Tricksy; 'we've been having a
fine game. Hamish, you've let Laddie in, and his feet are making wet
marks all over the floor!'

'Never mind Laddie,' said Mrs. MacGregor; 'take her upstairs and give
her dry shoes and stockings, Marjorie, and then come to dinner, all of
you.'

'You know, Marjorie,' observed Tricksy, as the elder girl somewhat
anxiously assisted her to pull off her wet stockings; 'you know you are
always telling me that we must be plucky and do all the things they
want us to do when we play with boys, or else they think we're a bore.'

'That's all very well, Tricksy,' replied Marjorie, 'but what shall we
do if you get ill? Your mother would stop your playing with us
altogether if that happened.'

'_I_ get ill with playing out of doors and having fun,' returned
Tricksy scornfully; 'I'm not such a duffer, Marjorie.'

Just before dinner Dr. MacGregor came in, 'such a dear of a man,' as
Tricksy had once described him, with bright blue eyes and curly hair
like Marjorie, and a kind expression like Hamish.

'How do you do, Reggie?' he said. 'How do you do, Allan? Do you like
school as much as ever? My dear,' turning to his wife, 'I shall have
to start immediately after lunch, and here is a note asking you to----'

The remainder of the sentence was lost, but the boys could see that
both Dr. and Mrs. MacGregor were looking very grave.

'I am sorry that Mrs. MacGregor and I must leave you,' said the doctor
while the meal was in progress, 'but I daresay you will manage to amuse
yourselves without getting into mischief; eh, Marjorie?' smiling at his
daughter, whose eyes flashed a saucy answer. 'You can have the boat
down if the rain keeps off.'

But the rain showed no disposition to keep off, despite the anxious
glances which were directed towards the window. Wh