arouse instant recognition. Hannah, who had never heard it
before, and was not skilled in the art of pretence, stared back in blank
surprise.

"Oh-h! Really? Yes, I'm Hannah Vernon. This is my friend Miss
Garnett."

Helen Ross nicked her eyelashes at Darsie by way of a bow, but bestowed
no spoken greeting.

"Rather beastly, the first day, isn't it?" she drawled, turning to
Hannah once more. "Feel such a pelican in the wilderness, wandering
about, not knowing what to be after next. Make me useful, do! I'd like
to be useful. Told your brother I'd show you the ropes. Did you get
your milk last night? Half a pint each is your allowance. You get it
from the pantry directly after dinner, and take it upstairs for cocoa.
Have you discovered your gyp-room yet?"

Hannah stolidly shook her head, whereupon Miss Ross proceeded to further
explanations. The gyp-room was a species of pantry, one of which was to
be found on each corridor, whence cups, saucers, and other utensils for
the preparation of the famous ten o'clock "cocoas" could be obtained.
You helped yourself, don't you know, and you took the things back when
you had done with them, but you didn't wash them up. The gyp-room owned
a presiding dignitary of its own who was known as the "gyp-woman," who
obligingly performed that service. Then Miss Ross expressed a wish to
see Hannah's room, and the three girls ascended the stairs together, and
the two Freshers stood by meekly while the two-year girl indulged in
candid criticism.

"Humph! Not so bad. Rather a barn at present, but it'll look all right
when you've fixed it up. Always takes a few days to settle down, but
one lives in one's room so much that it's worth taking pains. You can
get no end into the coffin, that's one blessing!"

"Coffin!" Hannah and Darsie jerked at the ominous word, whereupon Miss
Ross smiled with complacent superiority.

"Ah! of course, you don't know that name. The chest's the `coffin,' and
you keep hats in it, likewise odd boxes, and evening cloaks, and other
perishable splendours. Every one calls them coffins, so you'll have to
get used to it, I'm afraid; and the bureau's a `burry,' and the screen's
a `farce,' and a topply one at that. You'll have to buy another to take
its place. They never _do_ supply you with decent screens. By the way,
there's an auction on to-night! Did any one tell you? That's your
chance of picking up the things you want. It's held in the Gy