_Blanche_. Yes. _Old Woman_ (_chuckling_). It's the right place. Oh yes, it's the right place. The Ninepin Club is where I was bound for. _Christabel_. A most extraordinary person. _Old Woman_. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. Oh, I see, nine of you. That's why you are the Ninepin Club. Quite a coincidence. (_Shakes her head gravely._) But I thought there were ten in your class. How does it happen that you're one short? _Blanche_. If you please, we would like to know what right you have to question our Club. Who are you, please? _Old Woman_. Certainly, certainly. What's my name and where's my home? My name is Granny Playfair, and I am the general Club regulator. Whenever a Club is established, I look after it, d'ye see? [_The girls appear much mystified._] _Blanche_. Well, Granny Playfair? _Granny_. And knowing about the Ninepin Club, I have come to regulate it. _Blanche_. But how did you know about our Club? The members are pledged to secrecy. _Granny_. How did I know? Well, there's where I am pledged to secrecy. It's a mighty good thing for Clubs that I regulate them, though. Little birds of the air sometimes tell me things. _Blanche_. But, are you sure that our Club needs regulating? _Granny_. Quite sure. Your Club is wrong all through. _Blanche_. I have made a special study of _Cushing's Manual_, and we are quite parliamentary. _Granny_. Well, I'm glad of that. (_Shakes her head._) Oh, but you do need regulating. And I shall do it. Never fear. Now let me see, you were talking about summer. Would you like to see how the birds keep summer? That would help you a little. _Several of the Girls_. Oh yes, indeed. _Granny_ (_knocks on the floor. Door opens, and enter two little children dressed in blue_). Come in, my birds. Are all the other birds assembled to do my bidding? _Blue Birds_: We heard you call, yes, one and all, And we were sent, we two; So now, dear Lady, tell us, please, What you would have us do; For every little blue bird is Devoted quite to you. _Granny_. Then fly, and find us the wood where the laurel grows thickest. [_Exeunt birds._] _Helen_ (_aside_). This is an interesting Old Woman, but I can't make her out. _Agnes_. Nor I, one bit. _Granny_. Shall I tell you my dream, young ladies? _Girls_. Oh! do tell us your dream. [Illustration: I SAW A FIGURE HUDDLED IN A CORNER.]