Aldred's father readily gave his consent to the proposed visit, so April fifteenth saw the two girls starting off together for the holidays. Miss Bardsley took them up to town, and placed them safely in the train at King's Cross; and they would have no further change until they reached Helmsworth, the junction for Grassingford. They were in a very exultant and hilarious frame of mind, literally bubbling over with excitement. They managed to restrain themselves while they were under Miss Bardsley's eye, but directly the train started, and she had waved a final farewell from the platform, they allowed their wild spirits to have free play, and laughed to their hearts' content, waltzed between the seats, gave three cheers for the breaking-up, and chattered like a pair of magpies. Fortunately, they had the compartment to themselves, or they could not have indulged in such enjoyable frivolities except at the risk of being taken for lunatics. "I managed to buy a box of chocolates and a bag of pears," announced Aldred, triumphantly producing a parcel. "Miss Bardsley said there wasn't time, but I got the newspaper boy to run to the refreshment room while she bought our tickets." "She's given us about ten thousand last directions! Can you remember any of them?" said Mabel. "Never a one!" laughed Aldred. "The engine was snorting so loudly, I couldn't hear a single word." "And I could only catch a word here and there. I have a general impression that we aren't to hang out of the window, or speak to strangers, and that we must call the guard if anyone disagreeable gets into the carriage." "Well, we had all that before, from Miss Drummond!" "And not to lose our tickets!" "As if we should! I always keep mine in this inner pocket; it was made in my coat on purpose. I'm much more likely to lose my temper with so many instructions--we might be babies, five years old! I wonder Miss Bardsley did not tie a luggage label to each of us, marked, 'Perishable Goods, at Owner's Risk'!" "Yes, or 'Live Stock; Immediate," suggested Mabel. "Then we could have gone in the guard's van, and she would have been perfectly easy about us." "There's only one outrageous thing that always tempts me," declared Aldred. "I do so want to pull down the cord, and stop the train!" "A five pounds penalty if you indulge yourself, my dear." "If I had five pounds I would, just for the sheer fun of it. All the people would rush out of the carriages, to see what was the matter. It would make such a sensation! By the by, how can the guard know who has pulled the cord? Suppose we simply looked innocent and astonished when he came to our compartment, he couldn't tell it was either of us; I don't think he could possibly know." "As a rule, people only signal to stop in some great emergency, and then they would be anxious to call for help." Aldred reached up, and put her hand tentatively on the cord. "Shall I?" There was real intention both in her eyes and in her voice.