“Thank you,” said Magdalen, smiling to him. “You know better than my sisters what Devon lanes and pneumatic tyres are!” Perhaps Wilfred was a little vexed, though he had resisted, for he was ready to agree with Mysie that they could not stay and drink tea. But he did not escape his sister’s displeasure, for Mysie began at once, “How lucky it was that we came in time. I do believe that naughty little thing was just going to talk you over into doing what her sister had forbidden.” “A savage, old, selfish bear. It was only the lane.” “Full of crystals as sharp as needles, enough to cut any tyre in two,” said Mysie. “Like your tongue, eh, Mysie?” “Well, you did not do it! That is a comfort. You would not let her transgress, and ruin her sister’s good bicycle.” “She is an uncommonly pretty little sprite, and the selfish hag of a sister only left orders that I was to take care of the bike! I could see where there was a stone as well as anybody else.” “Hag!” angrily cried Mysie, “she is the only nice one of the whole lot. Vera is a nasty little thing, or she would never think of meddling with what does not belong to her, or trying to persuade you to allow it.” “I call it abominable selfishness, dog in the mangerish, to shut up such a machine as that, and condemn her sisters to one great lumbering one.” “That’s one account,” said Valetta. “Paula said it was only till they had learnt to ride properly, and till the stones have a little worn in.” “Yes,” said Mysie, “I could see Vera is an exaggerating monkey, just talking over and deluding Will, just as men like when they get a silly fit.” By this time Wilfred had thought it expedient to put his bicycle to greater speed, and indulge in a long whistle to show how contemptible he thought his sisters as he went out of hearing. “Paulina is nice and good,” said Valetta, “she has heard all about St. Kenelm’s, and wants to go there. Yes, and she means to be a Sister of Charity, only she is afraid her sister is narrow and low church.” “That is stuff and nonsense,” said Mysie. “I have had a great deal of talk with Miss Prescott. She loves all the same books that we do. She is going to have G. F. S. and Mothers’ Union, and all at poor Arnscombe, and she told me to call her Magdalen.” With which proofs of congeniality Valetta could not choose but be impressed. CHAPTER VI—THE FRESCOES OF ST. KENELM’S Earn well the thrifty months, nor wed Raw Haste, half-sister to Delay.—TENNYSON. THE deferred expedition to Rockquay also began, Magdalen driving Vera and Thekla. She was pleased with her visitors, and hoped that the girls would feel the same, but Vera began by declaring that _that_ Miss Merrifield was not pretty. “Not exactly, but it is an honest, winning face.” “So broad, and such a wide mouth, and no style at all, as I should have expected after all that about lords and ladies! An old blue serge and sailor hat!”