he Crown Derby service unpacked, and then, in the sober
fashion which more or less characterized all her actions of late, she
left the room.

She went up to the bedroom which she and Babs shared together, and
sitting down by the window, rested her chubby cheek against her hand.

Babs was kneeling down in a distant corner, pulling a doll's bedstead to
pieces for the express purpose of putting it together again.

"My doll Lily has been very naughty to-day," she said, "and I am going
to put her to bed. She wouldn't half say her lessons this morning, and
she deserves to be well punished. What are you thinking of, Judy, and
why do you pucker up your forehead? It makes you look so cross."

"Never mind about my forehead. I have a lot of things to think of just
now. I can't be always laughing and talking like you."

Babs paused in the act of putting a sheet on her doll's bed to gaze at
Judy with great intentness.

"You might tell me what's the matter with you," she said, after a moment
of silence; "you are not a bit interesting lately; you're always
thinking and always frowning, unless at night when you are sobbing."

"Oh, don't!" said Judy. "Don't you see what it is, Babs--can't you
guess?--it is only a week off now."

"What's only a week off?"

"Hilda's wedding. Oh, dear; oh, dear! I wish I were dead; I do wish I
were dead."

Babs did not think this remark of poor Judy's worth replying to. She
gravely finished making her doll's bed, tucked Lily up comfortably, and
coming over to the window, knelt down, placed her elbows on the ledge,
and looked out at the snowy landscape.

"Hasn't Hilda got lots and lots of presents?" she said, after a pause.

"Yes. I don't want to see them, though."

"Everyone is giving her a present," continued Babs, in her calm voice,
"even Miss Mills and the servants. Susan told me that the schoolchildren
were collecting money to buy her something, and--may I tell you a
'mendous big secret, Judy?"

Judy ceased to frown, and looked at Babs with a faint dawning of
interest in her eyes.

"I has got a present for her too," said Babs, beginning to dance about.
"I am not going to give it till the day of the wedding. I buyed it my
own self, and it's _quite_ beautiful. What are you going to give her,
Judy?"

"Nothing. I haven't any money."

"I have half a sovereign in the Savings Bank, but I can't take it out
until after I am seven. I wish I could, for I could lend it to you to
give Hilda a