ldren?"

"I will be just to them. You will uphold my authority?"

"Ye--s."

"If I think it necessary to punish them, you won't condemn the
punishment?"

"Oh, please, Sophia, do go away! The night is passing quickly. I never
think well by daylight."

"Put it on paper, Henry. Or stay! that will take too long. Give me a
sheet of paper; I will write what I require. I only want your signature."

Poor Mr. Dale had to search among his papers for a blank sheet. Miss
Sophia seized his special stylographic pen, pressed very hard on the nib,
and wrote what she required. Mr. Dale felt certain he would find it quite
spoilt when he came to use it again. But at last all her requirements
were on paper, and Henry Dale wrote his signature at the end.

"Thank you, Henry; you have acted wisely. You have your study now to
yourself."

Miss Tredgold bowed as she left the room.

CHAPTER VI.

TOPSY-TURVYDOM.

The fortnight that followed was not likely to be forgotten by the young
Dales. It would live in the remembrance of each child old enough to
notice. Even Penelope found the course of events interesting--sometimes
irritating, it is true; sometimes also delightful; but at least always
exciting. Miss Tredgold never did things by halves. She had got the
absolute authority which she required from the master of the house, and
having got it she refrained from annoying him, in any way whatsoever. His
meals were served with punctuality, and were far more comfortable than
they had ever been before. He was always presented with a cup of strong,
fragrant, delicious coffee after his dinner. This coffee enabled him to
pursue his translation with great clearness and accuracy. His study up to
the present was left undisturbed. His papers were allowed to remain thick
with dust; his chairs were allowed to be laden with books and papers; the
carpet was allowed to remain full of holes; the windows were left exactly
as the scholar liked them--namely, tightly screwed down so that not even
the faintest breath of heaven's air could come in and disarrange the
terrible disorder.

But the rest of the house was truly turned topsy-turvy. It was necessary,
Miss Tredgold assured the girls, to have topsy-turvydom before the reign
of order could begin.

At first the young Dales were very angry. For the whole of the first day
Verena wept at intervals. Pauline sulked. Briar wept one minute and
laughed the next. The other children followed in the foots