"Well, at any rate let us be chums," I said, for the Swans were getting nearer and nearer. "Oh, as you please, Dumps. But you mustn't interrupt my work; I always avoid having a girl chum, because she is sure to interrupt. If you like to walk with me in recess you may." "Oh, I should, Augusta--I should! I find the other girls so chattery and so queer. I don't understand them." "Well, naturally, to-day they're excited," said Augusta. She looked full at me. "What about?" I said. "Why, about you." "But why in the world about me? What has happened to me? Have I grown--grown beautiful?" I coloured as I said the words. Another girl would have laughed, but Augusta did not; it was not her way. "You are very plain indeed," she said calmly; "you have not one feature which could possibly, at any time, grow into a beautiful feature. But that doesn't matter. You have privileges. Every evening you can look at the Professor and think how marvellous is his brain and how beautiful is his face. Oh, do you think there is any chance of my being able to get a ticket for the next meeting of the Royal Society? He is going to speak. I could listen to him; I could hang on his words." I made no answer; but I made a special resolution. It was quite impossible for me to be friends with Augusta Moore. She was looking at me at that moment, however, with great attention. "I tell you what it is," she said; "if you are inclined to be friends with me, you might now and then get me tickets for your father's lectures. I mean, of course," she added, colouring very much, "that is, when you do not want them yourself." "I never go to them," I said fervently. "I would not go to them for all the world." "How queer of you!" "I think I can promise to get you two tickets for the next meeting of the Royal Society," I said, "if it will make you really happy. Father was busy over his lecture last night. It has gone to be typed this morning." "Oh, don't!" said Augusta, with a shudder. "Don't what?" "Make the thing so realistic. Leave it, I beseech of you, leave it in the clouds. Don't show me the ropes, but get me the tickets. Do! I shall worship you. I will even think you beautiful if you can get me tickets for your father's lectures." "I'll see; I'll speak to him to-day." Augusta glanced nervously round. "Do you think it would be possible for you to bring them to our house? We live just outside Inverness Terrace, Bayswater. You could come by the Tube. I would meet you, and I'd bring you home. We have only three rooms, mother and I--a sort of flat at the top of the house. I come every day to this school because it is thought quite the best in London. It doesn't take long by the Twopenny Tube. You have a station not far from your house. You could come, could you not?" "I could come, of course." "Well then, let me see. Shall I meet you at four o'clock to-day just outside the Bayswater Station? I'll be there when you come."