c affairs
from her bedroom.

"I suppose I can't stop you worrying over the household, but you're
not to stir out of bed till I give you permission, and I'll probably
keep you there for a fortnight. The rest will do you all the good in
the world," replied the doctor. "As for managing without you, they'll
just have to manage!"

Dr. Chambers's autocratic orders were, of course, to be followed to
the letter, everybody realized that; the only difficulty was how it
was going to be done. The family held an immediate conclave on the
subject in the invalid's room.

"I suppose I shall have to stay at home," said Winnie, "though I
hardly dare suggest it to Miss Roscoe. With Miss Roberts still away,
it makes things doubly difficult. I'm already taking four extra
classes, and who's to teach those, and my own as well? It's enough to
disorganize the school."

"Miss Roscoe would be furious if you stopped away!" said Gwen. "I
don't see how you can."

"I'll write to Cousin Edith, and ask if she can help us," suggested
Mr. Gascoyne.

"No, don't!" groaned Beatrice. "If Cousin Edith comes, I shall get
straight out of bed, in spite of Dr. Chambers. I warn you I will! She
and I don't get on."

Nobody was anxious for Cousin Edith's presence, so the suggestion
dropped.

"A charwoman wouldn't meet the want," sighed Winnie. "It must be
somebody who knows all the ropes of the household, or she'd be no use.
Lesbia's too young; but how about Gwen? She ought to be able to
manage."

Gwen did not wait to hear Beatrice's reply, but bolted straightway to
her own bedroom. The proposal was as unwelcome as it was unexpected.
To stop at home now, for a whole fortnight, just when every moment at
school was of such great importance! Why, such a proceeding might
wreck every chance she had for the exam.! Of course she was not sure
whether she was really a candidate, but she had a shrewd suspicion
that she was one of the selected number. She wished Miss Roscoe had
openly given out the names, then she would have known exactly what to
do in the circumstances. Could anything be more exasperating? It was
impracticable for Winnie to fill the breach; with one teacher short,
Miss Roscoe could not possibly spare her, especially at such a busy
time as the end of the term. Gwen realized that perfectly.
Lesbia--little, childish Lesbia--would be about as much use as Stumps
or Basil--why, she would be playing with Martin in the orchard while
the fowls went hung