have it as I will have it. That is clear and plain, and you all shall
help me. I shall say no more. But I shall know what to do."

Mechanically Miriam went downstairs with the rest of the party. With
the full force of her nerves she resisted the echoes of Fraulein's
onslaught, refusing to think of anything she had said and blotting
out her image every time it rose. The essential was that she would be
dismissed as Mademoiselle had been dismissed. That was the upshot of it
all for her. Fraulein was a mad, silly, pious female who would send her
away and go on glowering over the Bible. She would have to go, go, _go_
in a sort of disgrace.

The girls were talking all round her, excitedly. She despised them for
showing that they were disturbed by Fraulein's despotic nonsense. As
they reached the basement she remembered the letter crushed in her hand
and sat down on the last step to glance through it.

12

"Dearest Mim. I have a wonderful piece of news for you. I wonder what
you will say? It is about Harriett. She has asked me to tell you as she
does not like to write about it herself."

With steady hands Miriam turned the closely-written sheets reading a
phrase here and there... "regularly in the seat behind us at All Saints'
for months--saw her with the Pooles at a concert at the Assembly
Rooms and made up his mind then--the moment he saw her--joined the
tennis-club--they won the double handicap--a beautiful Slazenger
racquet--only just over sixteen--for years--of course Mother says it's
just a little foolish nonsense--but I am not sure that she really thinks
so--Gerald took me into his confidence--made a solemn call--_admirably_
suited to each other--rather a long melancholy good-looking face--they
look such a contrast--the big Canadian Railway--not exactly a
clerk--something rather above that, to do with making drafts of things
and so on. Very sweet and charming--my own young days--that I have
reached the great age of twenty-three--resident post in the country--two
little girls--we think it very good pay--I shall go in September--plenty
of time--that you should come home for the long holidays. We are
all looking forward to it--the tennis-club--your name as a holiday
member--the American tournament in August--Harry was the youngest
lady member like you--of course Harry could not let you come without
knowing--find somebody travelling through--Fraulein Pfaff--expect to see
you looking like a flour-sack with a stri