d on this period of rest and absolute relaxation from all work.
Work was strictly forbidden in the school from five to seven, and it
was during that period that the queens of the school generally
exercised their power. Aneta then usually found herself surrounded by
her satellites in one corner of the girls' own special sitting-room,
and Maggie was in a similar position at the farther end. Aneta's
satellites were always quiet, sober, and well-behaved; Maggie's, it is
sad to relate, were a trifle rowdy. There is something else also
painful to relate--namely, that Merry Cardew cast longing eyes from
time to time in the direction of that portion of the room where Maggie
and her friends clustered.

The girls had been about a fortnight at school, and work was in full
swing, when Kathleen, springing from her seat, said abruptly, "Queen,
I want to propose something."

"Well, what is it?" asked Maggie, who was lying back against a pile of
cushions and supplying herself daintily from a box of chocolates which
her adorers had purchased for her.

"I want us all," said Kathleen, "to give a party to the other queen
and her subjects; and I want it to be about the very jolliest
entertainment that can be found. We must, of course, ask Mrs. Ward's
leave; but she is certain to give it."

"I don't know that she is," said Maggie.

"Oh, she is--certain sure," said Kathleen. "May I go and ask her
now?"

"Do you dare?" said Rosamond Dacre, looking at Kitty's radiant face
with some astonishment.

"Dare!" cried Irish Kitty. "I don't know the meaning of anything that
I don't dare. I am off. I'll bring you word in a few minutes, girls."
She rushed out of the room.

Janet Burns looked after her, slightly raising her brows. Rosamond
Dacre and the two Roaches began to sound her praises. "She is sweet,
isn't she?"

"Yes," said Clara; "and I do so love her pretty Irish brogue."

"Mother tells me," said Janet, who was Scotch, "that Irish characters
are not much good--they're not reliable, I mean."

"Oh, what a shame!" said Matty Roache.

"I don't think we need discuss characters," said Maggie. "I don't know
a great deal about the Irish, but I do know that Kitty is a darling."

"Yes, so she is--one of the sweetest girls in the whole school," said
Molly Tristram, who was quite as excited as Kathleen herself with
regard to the party scheme.

Meantime Kitty found herself tapping at Mrs. Ward's private door. Mrs.
Ward said, "Come in," and