'Doreen is an only child, and was very delicate, though she looks strong now, and we sent her to a farm for a couple of years, where she has learnt rough ways. It has been a great thing for her your sister making friends with her; but it must just go as far as you wish out of school,' said Doreen's mother. 'It may go as far as you like; I could not wish for a nicer companion for Vava,' said Stella. And Vava heard her with surprise. 'You are a naughty girl, Doreen, and you annoyed me very much yesterday; and now I should think you have learnt that honesty is the best policy,' she said to her friend. 'I was so dreadfully afraid your sister would not come if she knew,' said Doreen. 'Then what would have been the use of her coming, only to refuse when she did know?' inquired Vava with some reason. 'Oh I was sure if she once saw the house and garden she would take it, because it is such a nice one!' cried Doreen. Stella only smiled, but Vava whispered, 'I'm sure we shall come here. Stella never speaks until she is quite certain of a thing, and our landlord approves.' And then, after a very dainty tea out of a silver teapot and fine porcelain, the four turned homeward, talking eagerly about 'our new home,' as they called it. Stella Wharton and Amy Overall sat leaning back in opposite corners of the carriage, smiling at the grand plans of the two younger girls, who were arranging the rooms and furnishing them with ideal furniture, which changed every few minutes, as did the wall-papers, except Eva's bedroom, which always had a paper covered with roses. 'I have always dreamt of living in a cottage covered with roses; but, till I do, I am going to make shift with a bedroom covered with rose-pink roses climbing about everywhere in large bunches tied up with blue ribbons,' she affirmed. 'Roses don't climb about tied up with ribbons,' remonstrated Vava, and then they all laughed at Eva's mistake. 'Oh well, I meant hanging about; I have seen papers like that, all pink roses and blue ribbons, and longed to have one; and now that I can choose my own paper that's what I'm going to have.--And oh, Miss Wharton, do have a crimson hall; it makes you feel warm the minute you get into a house!' cried Eva. 'And what about summer--you want to feel cool then? I think a green paper would be best,' argued Vava, and in discussing the merits of the different colours the journey was soon at an end, and the four, as they often did, wound up the evening together at Bleak House, where the matron generally arranged a musical or card evening for the girls who boarded with her. CHAPTER XIV. OFF TO A HOME AGAIN.