s over.

"One pound two and sixpence!" ejaculated Gwen, with a sob between the
words.

"And five shillings we promised Emma, so that makes twenty-seven and
six," agreed Netta briskly. "Of course it was you who broke the china,
so it's your business to pay for it, but I'll go shares in squaring
Emma."

"I can't--I can't ever pay it! Oh, I wish I was at the bottom of the
sea!" wailed Gwen.

"Don't be an idiot! It must be managed somehow. How much have you got
at home?"

"I've about fifteen shillings in my money-box."

"Well, look here, I'll lend you ten, and that will just do it. We'll
each give Emma half a crown to make her hold her tongue, and we'll
settle up Parker, and then the thing will be done with. You may pay me
back as soon as you can."

"You're a white angel!"

"No, I'm not. I'm anything but a saintly person. I'm ready to help a
chum out of a hole, though. I'll bring the money to school with me
to-morrow morning. And now, for goodness sake, do wipe your eyes, and
put your hat on straight, and try and make yourself look respectable
enough to walk down the promenade. I want to go home."

"So do I," said Gwen. "What's the time? I mustn't miss the next bus."

"It's twenty past five."

"Oh, horrors! And the bus goes at half-past! Can I possibly catch it?"

"I'll say goodbye if you're going to pelt along the promenade. I hate
rushing."

"Goodbye! And thank you a hundred thousand times!"

It was only as Gwen was scurrying along the asphalted walk that it
struck her that, after all, Netta was getting rather easily out of the
scrape. Of course she, Gwen, had knocked over the box of china, but it
was Netta who had taken her into Miss Roscoe's room, and who was
therefore in a sense responsible for the whole affair. Well, she was
glad enough to find help on any terms; she did not know how she was
going to repay Netta the money, but that might wait. It was sufficient
for the present that the tea set could be replaced without any fear of
discovery. She hurried breathlessly on, fearing to miss the omnibus;
taking any short cuts she knew, and breaking into a run when she
reached the Ditton Road. She could see the omnibus standing at its
starting-place, and hoped it might be just possible to arrive in time.
As she tore along the footpath, she noticed a boy a few yards in front
of her who was running equally quickly, or even faster.

"I wonder if he's trying to catch it too?" she thought, and envied his
long