h more of this goes on," gasped Briar. "I'm too
happy. I can't stand anything further."

"Hush, Briar!" said Verena, almost giving her sister a shake in her
excitement, and yet at the same time trying to appear calm.

"Now, my dear children, we will go home," said their aunt. "The wagonette
will come any day that I send for it, and Mr. Judson informs me he hopes
by-and-by to have a pair of carriage horses that I may think it worth
while to purchase."

"Aren't these good enough?" asked Verena, as they drove back to The
Dales.

"They are very fair horses, but I don't care to buy them. Judson knows
just the sort I want. I am pleased with the ponies, however. They will
give you all a great deal of amusement. To-morrow we must go to
Southampton and order your habits."

"I wonder I _ever_ thought her cross and nasty and disagreeable," thought
Pauline. "I wonder I ever could hate her. I hope she'll let me ride
Peas-blossom. I liked his bright eyes so much. I never rode anything in
my life, but I feel I could ride barebacked on Peas-blossom. I love him
already. Oh, dear! I don't hate Aunt Sophia now. On the contrary, I feel
rather bad when I look at her. If she ever knows what I did yesterday,
will she forgive me? I suppose I ought to tell her; but I can't. It would
get poor Nancy into trouble. Besides--I may as well be frank with
myself--I should not have the courage."

As soon as the girls got home Penelope ran up to Pauline.

"You stayed for a long time in the shrubbery yesterday, didn't you,
Pauline?" she asked.

"Yes," said Pauline.

"You didn't by any chance find Aunt Sophy's thimble?"

"I! Why should I?"

Pauline felt herself turning red. Penelope fixed her exceedingly sharp
eyes on her sister's face.

"You did find it; you know you did. Where is it? Give it to me. I want my
penny. Think of all the fun you are going to have. She doesn't mean me to
ride, 'cos I asked her. I must have my penny. Give me the thimble at
once, Paulie."

"I haven't got it. Don't talk nonsense, child. Let me go. Oh! you have
hurt me."

Pauline could not suppress a short scream, and the next minute she felt
herself turning very faint and sick, for Penelope had laid her
exceedingly hard little hand on Pauline's burnt arm.

"What is it, Paulie? I know you are not well," said Verena, running up.

"It is 'cos of her bad conscience," said Penelope, turning away with a
snort of indignation.

"Really," said Verena, as Pauline lean