wrist, her shoes, her stockings, her ribbons were
all in the perfection of taste. Betty felt another twinge of envy at
the sight, and wondered what in the world such a lucky person could find
to quarrel about! In manner Cynthia was as simple and direct as Pam
herself. A Pet she might be, but there was nothing pampered or self-
satisfied for the most carping critic to discover.

"I do get so bored with myself," she said plaintively. "My mother has
stayed in England on purpose to look after me and my education, and it
is always a case of `This would be good for Cynthia,' `That would be bad
for Cynthia,' `What would be best for Cynthia?'--there is altogether too
much Cynthia in my life, and I am sick of her. In a big family one
would have so many people to think of that there would be no room for
self."

"No--o!" said Betty doubtfully. Her conscience told her that despite
father and mother, and Miles and Jack, and Jill and Pamela, Betty loomed
very large on her own horizon, but she was ashamed to confess the fact
in so many words, and it was a relief when Mrs Vanburgh came bustling
back in her quick energetic fashion.

"There!" she cried. "I've put in a row of safety-pins. I couldn't
spare the time to sew it up just now. It's half-past three, and they
may be arriving any moment. I'll talk to each one as she comes in, and
artlessly find out how long she can stay, then I'll hand her over to you
to be treated accordingly. Tea and cake if it's a call, photographs and
light conversation if it's a visit. Sister Anne, Sister Anne, do you
see anyone coming?"

Cynthia looked round from the window and shook her head.

"Nary a governess! They wouldn't like to come exactly at the hour you
mention. Perhaps they are prowling round the Square, whiling away the
time until it is polite to appear."

"Oh dear, I wish they wouldn't! I like things to happen at once! I get
fidgety and nervous if I have to wait," cried Mrs Vanburgh, poking the
fire with such violence that the ashes were strewn all over the grate.

"Let's pretend that you are the first-comers, and rehearse the
conversation! Now then, go out of the room and come in, and I'll
welcome you."

Cynthia and Betty dutifully retreated to the hall, whence came a sound
of subdued giggling and whispering, lasting for several minutes, at the
expiration of which the door was thrown open and "Miss Perks" announced
in a voice shaken by laughter, whereupon Cynthia bounc