"Now, missy, come down this moment when I bid you. That's an unwholesome book you've been reading, to put thoughts like that into your mind. It's no me that's like to grow discontented, it's you. And I was just thinking of inviting you to tea." Frederica sprang down from the window so suddenly as to make the old woman start. "Oh, do, Eppie dear," cried she eagerly, "that is just the thing I should like. I want to speak to you, and I don't want to go down to that rubbishing history; and I'll read to you. I have not read a page yet, and it's a very nice book they say." "Is it a story book? But I would far rather hear about the wee beasties out of your lesson book. And I'm no just sure that Miss Robina would be pleased that you should take tea with me so soon again, and I'm no sure that I hae scones enew." "Oh! Miss Robina will be sure to let me; and never mind the scones. I'll go down for whatever we need, and I'll ask Miss Robina. Let me stir the fire." Frederica had forgotten the gloomy day, and the nun, and all imaginable subjects of discontent. She urged her petition eagerly; for she knew that Eppie liked to be entreated. "Let be the fire, missy. You'll do mischief, and spoil your hands. You may bide if you get leave. But I doubt your sister will no be well pleased. It is `making fish o' the one and flesh o' the other,' I doubt." But Frederica did not stay to listen. It was a great honour and an exceptional one, to be asked to tea by Mrs Campbell. No other girl now in school, except Tessie and one or two of the elder pupils, had ever been asked to drink tea in the garret. Except for the fun of the thing, or for the sake of a change from the dreary school routine, few of them would have cared to do so. For Eppie was only a little old woman, bowed and lame, who even in her best days had only been a sort of upper servant in Mrs Glencairn's house. The present race of girls did not often see her. Some of them had never seen her; for her daily journey to the lower part of the house to get what she needed was accomplished with much labour and effort at time when the girls were sure to be in school.