er!"--an unheard-of threat on
the part of Mother, who punished her children in any way but that of
denying them their food. "It's a very good thing you're leaving home
to-morrow, for you'd soon be setting the others at defiance, too, and I
should have four naughty children on my hands instead of one.-- But I'd
be ashamed to go to school such a fright if I were you. Turn round at
once and let me see you!"

Laura turned, with a sinking heart. Pin cried softly in a corner.

"She thought it would please you, mother," she sobbed.

"I WILL not have you interfering, Pin, when I'm speaking to Laura.
She's old enough by now to know what I like and what I don't," said
Mother, who was vexed at the thought of the child going among strangers
thus disfigured.--"And now get away, and don't let me see you again.
You're a perfect sight."

"Oh, Laura, you do look funny!" said Leppie and Frank in weak chorus,
as she passed them in the passage.

"Well, you 'ave made a guy of yourself this time, Miss Laura, and no
mistake!" said Sarah, who had heard the above.

Laura went into her own room and locked the door, a thing Mother did
not allow. Then she threw herself on the bed and cried. Mother had not
understood in the least; and she had made herself a sight into the
bargain. She refused to open the door, though one after another rattled
the handle, and Sarah threatened to turn the hose in at the window. So
they left her alone, and she spent the evening in watery dudgeon on her
pillow. But before she undressed for the night she stealthily made a
chink and took in the slice of cake Pin had left on the door-mat. Her
natural buoyancy of spirit was beginning to reassert itself. By
brushing her hair well to one side she could cover up the gap, she
found; and after all, there was something rather pleasant in knowing
that you were misunderstood. It made you feel different from everyone
else.

Mother--sewing hard after even the busy Sarah had retired--Mother
smiled a stern little smile of amusement to herself; and before locking
up for the night put the dark curl safely away.

II.

Laura, sleeping flat on her stomach, was roused next morning by Pin who
said:

"Wake up, Wondrous Fair, mother wants to speak to you. She says you can
get into bed in my place, before you dress." Pin slept warm and cosy at
Mother's side.

Laura rose on her elbow and looked at her sister: Pin was standing in
the doorway holding her nightgown to her, in