The climax came one rainy afternoon when the ordinary two-hours drive could not take place, and the hostess and her young guest had spent most of the day together in the library. Now it is trying for an old lady as well as for a young one to be deprived of the usual exercise, and if Darsie's impatience and rebelliousness of spirit were more acute than usual, Lady Hayes was also more nervous and exacting. In this instance the weight of the old lady's displeasure seemed to fall upon Darsie's unfortunate coiffure. Whatever turn the conversation might take, it returned with relentless certainty to "Your hair, my dear! When _I_ was young, young girls wore their hair neatly braided. I intensely dislike all this purring and elaboration. You would look a different girl if you brushed it smoothly." "I should," agreed Darsie coolly. "I should look a sight. _My_ pompadour is the best pompadour in my class. The girls all say so. They ask me how I do it. I've taught lots of them to do their own." "I'm sorry to hear it. Time enough when you come out to wear `pompadours,' as you call them. And your bow! Ridiculous size! If it were neat and small--" "They wear them twice as big in America. And in France. Sash ribbons! I would, too, if I could afford. It's the fashion, Aunt Maria. Every one wears them big." "Surely that is all the more reason why a sensible girl should set a good example by being neat and moderate herself! I don't approve of hair being allowed to grow long at your age, but if it _is_ long, it ought certainly to be kept in bounds. Yours is hanging all over your shoulders at this moment. Most untidy! I am speaking for your own good." There was a moment's chilly silence, then Darsie asked in a tone of extraordinary politeness-- "Just exactly _how_ would you do my hair, Aunt Maria, if you were in my place to-day?" Lady Hayes straightened herself briskly. "I should _brush_ it," she said emphatically. "It is naturally curly, no doubt, but I cannot believe that a good brushing would not reduce it to order! I should damp it and brush it well, and then tie it back so that it would not hang loose over your shoulders like a mane. It would be pleasant to see what a difference it would make. A neat head is one of the things which every young gentlewoman should strive to possess." Darsie folded her needlework, put it neatly away in her bag, and, rising from her seat, marched slowly from the room. It was nearing the hour for tea, when she usually went upstairs to wash and tidy-up generally, so that there was nothing unusual in her departure; it was only when she was safe inside her room that the extraordinary nature of to-day's preparations was revealed.