"It is dull at home at Christmas," said Sibyl. "We are so dreadfully poor, and father has such a lot to do; and there are always those half-starved, smelly sort of people coming to the house--the sort that want coal-tickets, you know, and grocery-tickets; and--and--we have to help to give great big Christmas dinners. We are all day long getting up entertainments for those dull sort of people. I often think they are not a bit grateful, and after being at a school like this I really feel quite squeamish about them." Fanny laughed. She saw, or believed she saw, that her cause was won. "You'll have nothing to make you squeamish at Aunt Amelia's," she said. "And now I must say good-night. Sorry about the Specialities; but, after the little exhibition you have just made of yourself, I agree with the other girls that you are not fit to be a member. Now, ta-ta for the present." CHAPTER XIX "IT'S DICKIE!" Fanny went straight to her own room. "What a nasty time I have lived through!" she thought as she was about to enter. Then she opened the door and started back. The whole room had undergone a metamorphosis. There was a shaded light in one corner, and the door between Fanny's room and Betty's was thrown open. A grave, kind-looking nurse was seated by a table, on which was a shaded lamp; and on seeing Fanny enter she held up her hand with a warning gesture. The next minute she had beckoned the girl out on the landing. "What is the meaning of this?" asked Fanny. "What are you doing in my room?" "The doctor wished the door to be opened and the room to be given up to me," replied the nurse. "My name is Sister Helen, and I am looking after dear little Miss Vivian. We couldn't find you to tell you about the necessary alterations, which were made in a hurry. Ah, I mustn't leave my patient! I hear her calling out again. She is terribly troubled about something she has lost. Do you hear her?" "I won't give it up! I won't give it up!" called poor Betty's voice. "I was asked to tell you," said Sister Helen, "to go straight to Miss Symes, who has arranged another room for you to sleep in--that is, if you _are_ Miss Crawford." "Yes, that is my name. Have my things been removed?" "I suppose so, but I don't know. I am going back to my patient." The nurse re-entered the room, closing the door on Fanny, who stood by herself in the corridor. She heard Betty's voice, and Betty's voice sounded so high and piercing and full of pain that her first feeling was one of intense thankfulness that she had been moved from close proximity to the girl. The next minute she was speeding down the corridor in the direction of Miss Symes's room. Half-way there she met St. Cecilia coming to meet her.