poems."

Thus cornered, Leonora was obliged to consent. Dilys's little book was a
shilling edition--not ruinous, certainly, to the purse strings; so
comparing that with a subscription of half a crown she considered she
had escaped cheaply.

"You've let her off too easily," grumbled Lennie afterwards, as she
added up her list. "It's a shame the richest girl in the class should
give the least."

"I haven't finished with her yet, my friend--I've only begun!" chuckled
Dilys. "Let me go to Miss Lindsay."

Dilys had a deep-laid scheme, which she considered too good to be
divulged at present, but which she hoped would be the undoing of
Leonora. She went to the mistresses' room with the subscription list,
and handed the collection of half-crowns to Miss Lindsay.

"Would you please order a Russia leather blotter for Miss Edith?" she
said. "We've decided on that, unless you know of anything she'd like
better. Leonora Parker would like to give her a separate present, quite
on her own account."

"Indeed?" said Miss Lindsay, who had not yet grasped the new pupil's
economical tendencies. "Then I suppose she wishes it to be something
handsome?"

"She mentioned a copy of Christina Rossetti's poems, but she said
nothing about the price," returned Dilys stolidly.

"Christina Rossetti's poems? Then she must surely mean that beautiful
illustrated edition that we were talking about at tea-time yesterday. I
remember Miss Edith said how immensely she would like to see it. No
doubt Leonora made a mental note of it. It was a kind thought of hers,
which Miss Edith will appreciate, I am sure."

"Is the edition expensive?" enquired Dilys casually.

"Fifteen shillings net, but of course to Leonora that is a mere
nothing--no more than sixpence to most girls. Still, perhaps I'd better
send for her and ask her."

"She's having her music lesson," put in Dilys quickly.

"The order ought to go off at once, if we are to have the presents in
time for the 1st of March," said Miss Lindsay, glancing at the clock. "I
must write now to catch the post. I think I may venture to send
Leonora's commission without consulting her. She must certainly mean the
illustrated edition, and in her case we really need not trouble to
consider the question of the price."

Dilys went away, rubbing her hands with satisfaction.

"Serves you right, Leonora Parker!" she chuckled to herself. "Your
little effort at economy is going to cost you rather more than you
b