't answer. Neither Daisy nor I would at all like to go to a school
for orphans. We don't fancy the idea of school, and dear mamma once
said that she would never allow her girls to be taught at school, so,
of course, that point is settled. Then you know we could not always
remain with you on a visit, for we are no relations of yours--you
never heard of us at all until a few days ago, although we have lived
here most of our lives. Of course you don't mean to keep us always on
a visit, so it would be very silly to begin a thing which could not go
on. Then about Primrose--may I be quite honest with you about
Primrose?"

"Oh yes, my dear."

"Well now, she doesn't write well--not really--her hand moves so
slowly, and I have seen some spelling mistakes now and then in her
letters--I fly over the page myself, but then I only can read my own
writing. I am greatly afraid that poor Mr. Ellsworthy would find
Primrose a bad secretary. No, no, no; ours is a much, much better
plan. You see, Mrs. Ellsworthy, you must not be angry with us--we love
you very much--we are greatly obliged to you, but we have quite made
up our minds--we will not be separated. Ah! here comes Primrose.
Primrose, darling, here is Mrs. Ellsworthy--she is just going to
listen to our plan--she has told us hers, and I have been explaining
to her that it will not answer, for Daisy and I are determined not to
go to school, and you know, Primrose, you are really stupid with your
pen."

"How do you do, Mrs. Ellsworthy?" said Primrose--she came in looking
fagged and tired, and with a worried expression between her eyebrows.
"Mrs. Ellsworthy," she said, "I am most grateful to you for being so
kind to us. I know you won't approve at all of our plan--you will
agree with Mr. Danesfield, who said he thought we had taken leave of
our senses, but I think we have made up our minds, and as we have no
guardian, there is no one to prevent us doing as we please."

"Oh, Primrose, how sad you look!" said Jasmine. "Has Mr. Danesfield
been disagreeable to you? Well, I know our darling Mrs. Ellsworthy
won't. Tell her our plan quickly. Primrose, she says you don't love
her--tell her you do love her. Oh, she is sweet and dear and
kind--tell her our plan--she won't throw cold water on what we wish to
do--she won't think it wrong that we three girls should wish to keep
together."

"Our plan is this," said Primrose, "I have asked Mr. Danesfield to
give us what money he has of ours, an