d take our supper with us into the
woods? Will you come too, and Miss Frost? It would be so delightful!"

Lady Jane's plan had been to leave Irene entirely to herself. She was to
have so many hours' lessons in the day, which generally resulted in not
working at all, and the rest of her time she spent either in her boat or
hatching mischief to annoy some inmate of the house. But now the idea of
a picnic, with supper out-of-doors, on this most glorious summer's day,
was altogether new.

"We might have the governess-cart, mightn't we, mothery?" said Irene,
turning her eyes away from Miss Frost, and gazing at her mother with
great anxiety and interest.

"Certainly, dear, but I"----

"Oh, you must come too," said Rosamund.

She knew very well that Lady Jane would say that she could not go out on
the anniversary of her husband's death; but she felt at the same time
that it was necessary for Irene's reform that both her mother and
governess should accompany her.

"I want us all to go," she said. "I have got a plan in my head. You will
let us, won't you?--Irene, you and I will choose what supper we will
take, after tea is over. And now, will you kindly pass me the
plum-jam--yes, and the butter too?"

What a masterful young person Rosamund Cunliffe was, and how Irene began
to lean upon her! She no longer troubled herself even to glance at Miss
Frost, who in consequence began to get back her courage and to make a
good tea. "The creatures," as she termed them, were certainly less
lively, and on the whole she felt better and more disposed to believe
the doctor.

As soon as tea was over Rosamund took Irene out of the room, and they
went together to the cook.

"Now, the very first thing you are to say to cook is this," said
Rosamund: "'Cook, I am exceedingly sorry I put a toad into your
bread-pan, and I am not going to do it again. I want you to give me the
very nicest supper you can possibly collect at short notice.' You must
put on your very prettiest manner when you speak to cook. Will you,
Irene?"

"It will be horrid work, for she isn't a lady, you know."

"She is far more a lady than you were when you put the toad into the
bread-pan."

"You are sharp, aren't you?" said Irene.

"Because you need it. I won't be sharp with you soon, for I know you are
going to be a model girl, and the most beautiful creature in the whole
country. You don't know how nice it will feel after being naughty for so
long."

"I wonder i