ed.

However, the electric bell rang just then, announcing that recess was
over and the telling had to be postponed to a better season. A few
moments later a maid came to say that as soon as Dorothy was ready the
Lady Principal would receive her in the west parlor. But she might
stop in the breakfast-room on the way, where a dish of cereal and a
bowl of hot milk was awaiting her. The maid added to the "Little
Pill":

"As for you, Miss Grace, the Minims are ready for their calisthenics
and your teacher wants you."

"But I don't want her. I want to go with Dolly."

"You're too big a girl for dolls, Miss Grace, and quite big enough to
obey orders."

Grace's sharp little face darkened and she made a mocking grimace to
the maid, retorting:

"You don't know anything, Dora Bond! You don't know that the Dolly I
play with is this new girl. I shall go with her. I hate them
exercises. They make my back ache. I'm excused to-day, anyhow. I heard
Auntie Princie tell a lady how I wasn't a bit strong and that she had
to indulge me a lot. I shall do as I please. I shall go where I like.
I shall, so, old Bondy! So there!"

Dorothy was surprised by the unpleasant expression which had
settled on the little girl's face, but said nothing. Following
Bond's direction, she hurried through a long hall to a sunshiny
breakfast-room and the simple meal prepared for her. She hastily
drank the milk, but had no appetite for the cereal. Her heart was in a
flutter of anxiety about the coming interview with Miss Tross-Kingdon.
She had at once disliked and feared that lady, on the night before,
and felt that her present appearance, in a rain-spotted frock and with
her hair so hastily brushed, must only add to the sternness of this
unknown Lady Principal.

However, the clinging hand of Millikins-Pillikins gave a little
comfort. She didn't feel quite so lonely and timid with the child
beside her and, as she made her graceful curtsey at the open door, all
her fear vanished and she became once more the self-possessed Dorothy
of old. For, rising and crossing the room to meet her was her
acquaintance of the night, who had brought her to Oak Knowe in his own
car from John Gilpin's cottage.

With extended hands he grasped hers and, turning to Miss Muriel,
remarked:

"Any time you need a nurse, madam, just call upon this little lady.
She was the best helper I had last night. Quick and quiet and
intelligent. She must train herself for that vocation w