Molly's blue eyes danced. She looked with a sense of triumph, half amusement and half daring, from her mother to Marcia. But, alas, Marcia's face showed not the slightest sign of yielding. "I think, mother," she said, "that you and I must wait for our conversation until to-morrow afternoon. I am exceedingly busy just now, and Molly knows our compact. Have you finished your tea, Molly? If so, I will take away the tray. Good-bye, mother, for the present. Good-bye, Molly." As quickly as she had come so did the angel of order and comfort retire. Mrs Aldworth was now in a fury. "Really, Molly," she said, "this is _insufferable_. I would much rather she went altogether. To think of her daring to go against my wishes in my own house." But bad as things were at present, Molly knew that if Marcia went they would be worse. A certain amount of freedom could now be safely claimed, but if Marcia went things would go on in their slovenly, slipshod, good-for-nothing style; the invalid's bell always ringing, the girls never at liberty, the house always in disorder. "Oh, mother," said Molly, "don't rouse her; she is capable of anything, I assure you. She has given us just a month to be on our trial, and she says that if we don't do our part in that time she will return to Frankfort. That horrid Miss Silchester has turned her head, and that's a fact. She has praised her and petted her and made much of her, and would you believe it, mother, she has absolutely offered to keep the post open for Marcia for a whole month. Mother, dear, do be careful what you say to her, for, I assure you, she has no heart. She would actually allow us three girls--" Molly stopped to gulp down a sob--"to wear ourselves to death, rather than to do one little thing to help us. It's awfully cruel, I call it. Oh, mother, it is cruel." Now all this was from Molly's point of view, and so it happened that Mrs Aldworth, for the time being, took her child's part; she did not think of herself. Besides, Marcia had dared to defy her authority, and a sensation of fury visited her. "You had better call the others," she said. "We must have a conclave over this. We really must. I will not submit to insurrection in my house. We must arrange with the girls what we shall do, and then call your father in. His must be the casting vote." Molly flew out of the room. She found Nesta presently, enjoying herself in the swing. She jumped lightly from it when she saw Molly. "Well," she said, "what has happened! Whatever did mother say?" "Mother is in the most awful rage. Marcia has openly defied her. I wouldn't be in Marcia's shoes for a good deal. Mother thoroughly sympathises with us; she feels that we are most badly used, and she wants you, Nesta, you and Ethel. Wherever is Ethel?" "Ethel has gone over to the Carters' to explain about to-night. Poor Ethel, her head was banging; I expect the heat of the sun will give her sunstroke. But Marcia wouldn't care. Not she."