the family features, the family
eyes, but Nature had evidently been prejudiced on her behalf and had
given with a more generous hand. An extra shade of darkness on the
eyebrows, an extra dip to the nose, a tiny curl to the lips, a tilt of
the chin--these were trifles in themselves, but what an amazing
improvement when taken in bulk! Dreda gazed and gazed, and as she did
so there came to her one of those delightful experiences which most of
us encounter once or twice as we go through life. As she met this
strange girl's glance, a thrill of recognition ran through her veins; a
voice in her heart cried, "_My Friend_!" and she knew just as surely as
if she had been told _in_ words that at the same moment Susan's heart
had sounded the same glad welcome.

She said: "Thank you, Susan," in a voice unusually subdued, and bit her
lips to keep back the tears.

CHAPTER NINE.

At twelve o'clock work was laid aside and Miss Drake accompanied the
girls for an hour's constitutional. She claimed Dreda for her companion
for the first part of the walk, for she had noticed the girl's
humiliation, and was anxious to have a few words with her in private.

"I am sorry that you should have had such a disagreeable cross-
questioning this morning, Dreda," she began brightly, "but I am sure you
will realise that it was necessary. I was obliged to find out what you
had been doing before I could make plans for the future. Now that is
over, and we can move ahead. You will enjoy working with Susan. She is
appreciative and thoughtful--a little slow in taking things in, perhaps,
but for the present that will be a good thing, as it will make it all
the easier for a quick girl like yourself to catch up to her in class
work." Dreda glanced up sharply.

"I! Quick! How do you know?"

Miss Drake smiled mischievously.

"Oh, very easily--very easily, indeed! I am accustomed to work among
girls, and when I get a new pupil I know at once under which category
she will fall. When I saw you I said to myself--`Quick, ambitious,
versatile!' I have no fear that you will fail to do anything to which
you persistently give your mind."

"Ah!" groaned Dreda tragically, "but that's just what I can never do.
For a little time--yes! I'm a _wonder_ to work when I first get a
craze. But--it passes! I get--_bored_! I've never stuck persistently
to one thing in my life. The boys call me `Etheldreda the Ready,'
because I'm always bubbling over with