hed. None of you girls can beat
me on the piano. I know nearly all the girls' songs in _San Toy_ and the
_Belle of New York_. Father loves to hear me when I sing 'Rhoda Pagoda.'
Perhaps, Miss Tredgold, you'd like to hear me play on the pianoforte. I
dote on dance music; don't you, Miss Tredgold? Dance music is so lively;
it warms the cockles of the heart--don't it, Miss Tredgold?"

"I don't dance, so it is impossible for me to answer," said Miss
Tredgold. "I am sorry, Miss King, to disturb a pleasant meeting, but my
girls are under discipline, and the hour for preparation has arrived."

Nancy shrugged her capacious shoulders.

"I suppose that means _conge_ for poor Nancy King," she said. "Very
sorry, I'm sure. Good-day, madam.--Good-bye, Renny. I'll look you up
another day.--Good-bye to all. I'm off to have a bit of fun with my boy
cousins."

Nancy swung round and left the group. She walked awkwardly, switching her
shoulders and swaying from side to side, a dirty train trailing after
her.

"May I ask who your friend really is?" said Miss Tredgold when she had
watched the departure of this most undesirable acquaintance.

"She is Nancy King, Aunt Sophia. We have known her all our lives," said
Verena.

"My dear Verena, I have heard that statement before. Nevertheless, the
fact that you have known that young person since you were little children
does not reply to my question. Who is she? Where does she come from? Who
is her father? I don't remember to have heard of any gentlefolks of the
name of King residing in this part of the New Forest."

"She is not gentlefolk," said Pauline.

Pauline came a step nearer as she spoke. Her eyes were bright, and there
was a red spot on each cheek.

"But although she is not born a lady, she is our friend," she continued.
"She is the daughter of Farmer King, who keeps a very jolly house; and
they have plenty of money. We have often and often been at The Hollies."

"Oh! we get delicious apples there," interposed Adelaide; "the juiciest
you ever tasted--the cherry-and-brandy sort."

"I have never heard of that special apple, and I dislike its name," said
Miss Sophia.--"Now come into the house, all of you."

She did not question them further. She walked on in front.

"I can't stand too much of this," whispered Briar to Verena.

But Verena said "Hush!" and clasped Briar's little hand as it lay on her
arm.

They entered the house and proceeded to the pleasant schoolroom.

"I