Meanwhile Flossie took the arm of her friend and led her into the shade. "How red you look," she said. "You must have been running very fast." "What does that matter? I have got it; I have won it." "You don't mean to say you've won your bet?" "Yes, I have though. This very morning she came over--Clay, you know, and soon afterwards the Fairy Princess, and my noble elder sister was present, and she had to introduce Clay to the Princess, and it's extremely likely that the Princess will be forced by circumstances to pay the Carters a visit at Court Prospect." "I wish her joy of them," said Flossie sulkily. "Oh, you needn't sulk, old Floss. I've got my yellow-boy all for myself. Now then, I'll tell you what. I know you're ever so cross, and as jealous as ever you can be, but I'm going to share some of it with you." "You aren't! Not really? Then if you are, I will say you're a brick!" Flossie's brow cleared, her shallow black eyes danced. She looked full at Nesta. "You and I'll have a picnic all to ourselves," said Nesta. "Then you must be very quick," replied Flossie, "for we are going to the seaside next week." "And the Carters are going on Saturday. I do declare I'll have to look sharp after my yellow-boy. I tell you what--there's nothing on earth for us to do to-day; why shouldn't we go right away and see the Carters. I could get my money from Pen, and we'll have a treat. We can go to Simpson's and have ginger beer and chocolates. Wouldn't that be prime?" "Rather!" said Flossie, "and I'm just in the humour, for the day is frightfully hot." "But you don't mind the heat--I'm sure I don't." "You're rather a show in that dress, Nesta." "I don't care twopence about my dress," said Nesta. "What I want is my darling yellow-boy. I want him and I'll have him. We can go right away through the woods as far as our place; only perhaps that would be dangerous, for they might pounce upon me. They're always doing it now. Before mothery got so ill we had our stated times, but now we're never sure when we'll be wanted. It's Molly this, and Ethel that, and Nesta, Nesta, Nesta, all the time. I scarcely have a minute to myself. If it wasn't for my lessons I'd simply be deaved out of all patience; but it's hard now that there are holidays, that I can't get away." "I wish you could come to the seaside with us," said Flossie suddenly, as she thought of the yellow-boy--twenty whole shillings. Perhaps her father and mother might be induced to take Nesta with them. Her father had said only that morning: "I am sorry for you, my little girl; you will miss your companions."