that morning with much verve and vigor. It was a pleasant
morning: the windows were open; the schoolrooms were all well
ventilated; the teachers, the best of their kind, were stimulating in
their lectures and in their conversation. There was a look of business
and animation throughout the whole place: it was like a hive of bees. At
last the moment of recess arrived. Kate just raised her head, looked
over the shoulders of her companions, and saw Susy Hopkins darting
restlessly about, catching one girl by the sleeve, another by the arm,
whispering in the ear of a third, flinging her arm round the neck of a
fourth; and as she spoke to the girls they looked interested,
astonished, and cordial. They moved away to that lonely part of the
playground which was situated at the back of the Botanical Laboratory.
Kate had made up her mind not to take the least notice of Susy. She was
pacing up and down alone; for, most provoking, all her chosen friends
had gone off with that young lady. Suddenly she saw Ruth Craven going
very quietly by. By all the laws of the foundationers, Ruth ought to
speak to her companions in misfortune. Kate rushed up to her.

"What are they all doing there?" she said. "Do you happen to know Susy
Hopkins?"

"No," replied Ruth gently. "She came up to me just now and asked me to
join her and some other girls at the back of the Laboratory. I don't
know that I want to."

"I am curious," said Kate. "Of course, I am no friend of Susy's; she is
a most contemptible little wretch; but I may as well know what it is all
about. Come with me, won't you?"

Ruth hesitated.

"Come along; we may as well know. There is probably some mischief on
foot, and it is only fair that we should be forewarned."

"I don't want to know," said Ruth; but as Kate slipped her hand through
her arm and pulled her along, she said resignedly, "Well, if I must I
must."

As they strolled across the big playground, Ruth turned and glanced at
Cassandra; but Cassandra was busy making friends with Florence, who was
very angry with her for her desertion of the day before, and took no
notice of Ruth. The Irish girl was nowhere in sight. Ruth sighed and
continued her walk with Kate.

The most lonely and most dreary part of the playground was that little
portion which was situated at the back of the Laboratory. Nothing grew
there; the ground was innocent of grass, and much worn by the tramping
of young feet. There were swings and garden-seats and