or a cousin whom I hadn't
seen for a year, and who was just off to the front, I declare I'd have
done it myself. I don't blame her! But there'll be a row if Bunty
doesn't hear her scales going."

Exactly at a quarter to eight o'clock a Daimler car whisked through the
village, and stopped by the gate of Pendlemere Abbey. A small figure
hopped from it, and the chauffeur handed out a bicycle, then drove away
at full speed. Girl and bicycle crept through the laurels to the side
door, whence the former fled upstairs like a whirlwind. From the
intermediates' room came the strains of the Beethoven sonata with which
Loveday was at present wrestling. Diana, wrenching off coat and hat in
her bedroom, paused to listen.

"Bless her!" she muttered. "She's actually gone and taken my place! What
an absolute trump she is!"

It was not until morning school was over that the confederates had the
slightest chance to compare notes.

"Well, did you see him?" asked Loveday, when at last they met in their
bedroom to brush their hair for dinner.

Diana's eyes filled with tears.

"Yes, and Cousin Cora said she was glad I came. She lost her own boy,
you know--he went out with the American Red Cross, and was killed when a
Zepp. bombed the hospital. That's two years ago now. I wouldn't have
missed saying good-bye to Lenox for worlds. I'd quite a nice ride to
Petteridge. It got light directly, and the hills looked beautiful in the
dawn. Loveday, you did my practising for me!"

"Not exactly _for_ you! I took your half-hour, and you must take mine
instead, from half-past four till tea-time."

"Right-o! But did Bunty come in?"

"Yes; and I told her I wanted to go out with Nesta this afternoon. So I
do."

"You don't think anybody suspects?"

"Not a soul!"

Diana came close, and laid a hand on her room-mate's arm.

"Loveday, I'll never forget what you've done for me to-day--_never_! If
I ever get the chance to do anything for you in return, you bet I'll do
it, no matter _what_ it costs me! You've been a real mascot. There isn't
a girl in the school who'd have played up better, certainly not among
the seniors. I do think you're just ripping! Did Bunty look _very_
surprised to see you at the piano?"

"She did, rather; but I asked her if Nesta and I might have an exeat
this afternoon to go to the Vicarage. Mrs. Fleming gave us an open
invitation, you know, to come and see her sketches."

"What a brain! You really are too lovely!" chuck