morning dawned on which she was
to depart for school, she felt it fitting that her toilette should
express the melancholy of her mood. Dreda had a great idea of fitness,
and a costume composed of an old shepherd plaid skirt, a grey flannel
blouse and a black tie seemed admirably symbolic of what she herself
described as "the mourning of her soul." When it was donned, however,
the result was found to be so extremely unbecoming that resolution
wavered, and collapsed. After all, the most important matter was to
impress her new companions, and there was no denying that that could be
done most effectively in blue--in just such a blue as was at that moment
hanging in the wardrobe ready for use. With light-like speed Dreda shed
her dun-coloured garments on to the floor, and in a trice was arrayed in
her prettiest, most becoming costume.

This time the reflection was so pleasing that it was quite an effort to
pull down her chin, and drop her eyelids, with the air of melancholy
resignation which she was determined at all costs to preserve during
breakfast. Mrs Saxon's face brightened at sight of the pretty blue
dress, but neither she nor any other member of the family mentioned the
fatal word "school." Rather did each one try to give a cheerful turn to
the conversation, and to lead it towards a discussion of those topics in
which the heroine of the day was the most interested. "Sops!" murmured
Dreda dramatically to herself. "Sops!" She struggled hard to restrain
her longing for a second helping of bacon; but her courage gave out at
the thought of the motor drive across the cold open country.

"I must strengthen myself with plenty of nourishment," she decided, as
she handed over her plate, and accepted the offer of a third cup of
coffee. Like all pleasant things, however, the meal came to an end at
last, and then the great event of the day could no longer be ignored.
Maud caught the glance exchanged between her parents, and felt herself
freed from her promise of silence.

"_Now_!" she exclaimed, with a gusty sigh of relief. "Now for the Buns!
_Now_ you'll see which knows most, them or you. Them, I should think,
'cause they're clever, and you forget. Miss Bruce said your head was
like a sieve. Do you remember the day she said it? She had on her jet
chain, and jingled with the beads. You'll have to remember not to
forget, or you'll be the bottom of the class. Fancy three Currant Buns
on top!"

She stopped short