samund Cunliffe. I did meet her mother a year ago, who told me she
was very pretty. I remember that. Then there is Phyllis Flower. Think of
any one with such a dear name--Phyllis and Flower! The whole name is too
sweet! I told your father that I knew I should fall in love with
Phyllis."

"Mother dear, you really mustn't make favorites," said Lucy in a
reproving tone. "If these girls must come to us and form the beginning
of a school, why, we must behave accordingly. You are not half as steady
as I am, mother, and I am fifteen, and you are----"

"Forty-five," said Mrs. Merriman; "but then I only feel twenty, and I am
very happy about all this. The house is perfectly arranged, everything
in apple-pie order, and they will have such a good time, dear girls!
Well, now, let us count them over. Laura Everett, fourteen; Annie
Millar, ditto; Rosamund Cunliffe, fifteen; and Phyllis Flower, thirteen.
Then there is Jane Denton. Well, I know nothing whatever about her
except that her mother says she is a good girl, and does her utmost to
learn, and she is sure will be absolutely obedient. Then comes Agnes
Sparkes. I quite expect she will be the witty one. Altogether that makes
six girls, and you, my dear, are the seventh--the perfect number, you
know."

"And the whole house turned topsy-turvy!" said Lucy. "Really and truly,
mother, I wish we had thought it over before we did anything so queer."

"We could not help it, love. Your father's health is very bad, and he
cannot continue his work as a professor. There is no other manner in
which to earn money. Why not take the whole thing cheerfully, Lucy?
Remember, you will have your education practically free."

"I don't suppose I'd mind the girls so very much," said Lucy, "if it
were not for the horrid governesses. To think of having a creature like
Mademoiselle Omont living in the house! And then, I am not specially in
love with Miss Archer. But there, I suppose we must make the best of
it."

"We must, and will, and can," said Mrs. Merriman in her cheery voice.

She had scarcely said the words before a wagonette was seen driving down
the summer lane. Girls in different-colored dresses, with bright faces,
eager eyes, suddenly appeared in view. The wagonette drew up at the
gate, and Mrs. Merriman, to Lucy's disgust, went impulsively forward.

"Here you all are, dears!" she said. "Oh, I am so glad to welcome you!
Now, you must tell me who's who. Won't you get down? It will be nice