damp and close, and my head a-going round. Let's get out into the
back yard, Miss Jasmine. Now I can breathe. Oh, didn't I say that
London was dazzling, and isn't it you three that has got the hearts of
gold. Say it all over again to me, please, Miss Jasmine. What is it
we're all a-going to do to-morrow?"

"Oh, what a silly, Poppy, you are," said Jasmine; "why even I do not
get as excited as you do. We are going out, and you are coming with
us, and we are going to spend five shillings."

Poppy's cheeks flushed a vivid crimson, her eyes sparkled, and her
small feet began involuntarily to dance.

"I has set my heart on something beauteous," she said, "and, oh, dear,
Miss Jasmine, you will do it, won't you? You won't let none of them
biting disappointments with which the air is choke full, as full as it
is of smuts, come in the way. If you three darling ladies spend a
crown piece, and take me abroad, we'll be on pleasure bent, and on
pleasure alone. Say so, do, Miss Jasmine."

"Why, Poppy, of course we are going for pleasure; what do you mean?"

"Only that we won't be going Cathedraling and Towering. I don't say
nothing ag'in them places, but when I wants real pleasure, and a crown
piece spent on me, I don't go in for no Cathedraling."

Jasmine laughed. "I tell you what," she said, "you shall choose the
pleasure yourself, Poppy. It's your treat, and you shall choose. Now,
do say what hour you will be ready to start to-morrow, for we want to
go early, and have a real long day."

"Let's think," said Poppy. "To-morrow is, yes, to-morrow is Thursday.
Cold joint to-morrow, and a salad made with stale lettuce which we
gets cheap; potatoes boiled plain and not mashed, and a apple dumpling
to follow. The ladies is very particular that their pastry should be
light. Miss Slowcum says she can't sleep a bit at night if her pastry
is heavy. She called me Sarah Martha Ann the last time I made it, and
she looked most vinegary. Yes, Miss Jasmine, the dinner's plain
to-morrow, and I'll get up with the daybreak, and do my cleaning. I
don't see why Aunt Flint shouldn't let me go with you, miss."

Mrs. Flint, when properly attacked, proved herself quite vulnerable.
She was anxious to please the Mainwarings who she hoped would take up
their abode with her, for naughty Primrose had by no means divulged
her real plans. Accordingly, Poppy was allowed to get her dinner
beforehand, and a very happy little quartet left the Mansion soon
afte