u've got measles," ventured Wendy.

"Measles!" snorted Diana scornfully. "That's all they know about it.
I've told them till I'm tired that it's nettle-rash. I've had it before.
I always _do_ get the wretched thing when I eat sausages. They sort of
poison me. It'll go away all right if they only let me alone. What did
Miss Todd want bringing that black doctor up to see me? I had nearly
forty fits when he came marching into my room."

"Well, he says you've got measles at any rate, and Toddlekins is in no
end of a state. Thinks it's going to spread all through the school.
D'you know she's making arrangements to send you to the Fever Hospital?
They're to come and fetch you away in the ambulance."

"_What!_ The idiots! I tell you I _haven't_ got measles. I won't go! Do
you think I'm going to let myself be bundled off to the Fever Hospital
just because an ignoramus of a Hindoo doctor doesn't know his business
sufficiently to tell nettle-rash when he sees it? Rather not! I'd show
fight first!"

"They'll roll you in blankets and carry you downstairs!" thrilled Wendy.

"They'll do nothing of the sort--I'll take good care of that. I wouldn't
be easy to carry if I kicked, even inside blankets. I never heard of
such an outrageous thing in all my life. I've some bounce left in me
yet, and I'll use it--see if I don't! Measles, indeed! I wonder he
didn't say it was hydrophobia."

"Well, whatever it is, you're to be taken to the Fever Hospital; they've
ordered the ambulance. I'm awfully sorry, old sport! It's hard luck on
you. I must scoot now, and go back to my practising, or I shall have
Bunty on my track. Bye-bye!"

Wendy vanished, leaving Diana alone and most upset. She considered that
she was being treated abominably. She longed to telegraph to her
parents, but she knew that was impossible.

"Whatever happens, I'm not going to that wretched Fever Hospital," she
said to herself. "I'm sure Cousin Cora wouldn't like me to be taken
there. Why shouldn't I go to Petteridge? They're all well again from the
'flu'. What a brain-wave! I declare I will, and tell Cousin Cora all
about it!"

Diana was nothing if not impetuous. She jumped up immediately, and began
a hasty toilet. She was just three-quarters through with it when she
heard footsteps on the stairs. She immediately whisked her nightdress on
over her clothes, and popped into bed just three seconds before Miss
Todd entered the room. The excitement of such a rush made her f