I COMPLETE MY ARRANGEMENTS. 49

the Zimes, Aunt nodding opposite, and
Mother quietly reading on her sofa, for it is
about nine o’clock now, and dinner has been
over some little time.

Freda makes the fourth at dinner always,
but directly she sees her way to it she
escapes from the drawing-room to join the
conclave in the school-room. I find them
all there now engaged in working, reading,
&c., on my entering, but not feeling in-
clined for conversation, I retire to the win-
dow and hang therefrom.

I should like to go out in the garden
again, but dare not, for I should be certain
to run against Father, and no matter what
time it were he would order me off to bed
instantly, and do it as if it were a punish-
ment too.

It’s not long, however, before Miss Mont-
gomery looks up and says cheerfully, “ ‘Time
for bed, Madge,” and I rise without a mur-
mur, and after saying good-night all round,
depart. I am not sorry to go at all, for I
shall have to be up with the lark in the

(220) D