"I’m sure I’d just as lief go out a-walking, as tidy up all the rubbidge in her bedroom," sniffed Mary Ann, the under-housemaid, who privately thought herself far more suited to go than Barnes. "You never need be expecting to, then," replied the maid, with conviction. "You’re far too giddy." "Dear, dear," was the mocking answer, "old maids isn’t always the ones preferred!" "There, that’ll do, Mary Ann!" interposed cook good-temperedly; "don’t be rude to Miss Barnes." And she adroitly changed the subject. Meanwhile, Monica was having a _tête-à-tête_ meal with her grandmother in the dining-room upstairs. The old lady had been out the previous afternoon and evening, and so had not had an opportunity of questioning Monica about her first experiences of school life. She proceeded to do so when the parlourmaid left them alone together. Monica, still happy in the thought of her new-made friend, looked bright and lovable as she sat opposite her grandmother at the lavishly appointed luncheon table; even Mrs. Beauchamp, austere and undemonstrative as she was, felt for the moment a thrill of satisfaction in possessing so handsome a grandchild. But neither her words nor tones gave any indication of such a state of feeling. "Now give me some account of your school-work, Monica," she said stiffly, as she toyed with a minute helping of orange jelly. "Oh! I think I shall like it no end," was the girl’s off-hand reply, as well as she could between huge mouthfuls of rhubarb tart, which she was discussing with her healthy school-girl’s appetite. "It was a bit strange at first, but I chummed up to one of the girls to-day, so I feel quite at home." "Really, Monica," expostulated her grandmother, "you must not use such expressions; you quite shock me. I do hope they will not allow you to speak improperly at this school." And she sighed voluminously. "That isn’t slang, really, grandmother; everybody says chum nowadays," was Monica’s conciliatory reply. "At least, all young people do." "I do hope you won’t grow unladylike, I’m sure. It is doubtful if it was a wise step to send you to such a large school, I am afraid." "Don’t fidget, grandmother," said her grandchild soothingly. "I daresay I shall turn out all right in the end." And she added, mentally: "At any rate, dad, I won’t disappoint _you_ if I can help it." "Well, what about this girl you’ve made friends with?" continued the old lady helplessly; "who is she?" "One of Dr. Franklyn’s daughters," began Monica, but Mrs. Beauchamp interrupted her. "Oh! I’m glad you had the sense to choose a professional man’s child. Although I don’t know much of Dr. Franklyn, I think he is a very respectable medical man. But was there no girl in your own station, Monica, who would have been more suited as a companion for you?"