A few days more saw her school dress finished and at home. It looked magnificent to Rotha; far too good for a school dress. But Mrs. Mowbray said no; she must look nice in school as well as anywhere; and that very evening she brought to Rotha a box full of neat collars and cuffs and ruffles; some of plain linen and some of lighter and prettier manufacture. The supply was most abundant; and with these things were some ribbands of various colours and little silk neck ties. Rotha received them in the same mute way of speechless gratitude and delight; and resolved one thing; that Mrs. Mowbray should have nothing to complain of in her, whether regarding school duties or anything else. Another thing Mrs. Mowbray did for Rotha that week. Calling Antoinette Busby to her, at the close of a lesson, she said, "My dear, among the things sent round from your house for your cousin's use, there is no coat or cloak for cold weather wear. Will you tell your mother, Rotha's coat has not been brought with the rest of her things? Thank you. That is all, my dear." Antoinette went home in a good deal of a fluster, and told her mother. Mrs. Busby looked impenetrable. "Now mamma, what are you going to do about it?" "What did you say?" "I said nothing. What could I say?" "Did you see Rotha?" "No; she is up stairs, getting nursed for her cold." "Stuff!" "Well, she had a cold, mamma. Mrs. Mowbray always finds out if the girls are shamming. She is sharp enough." "Rotha is no more ill than I am." "Mrs. Mowbray always sends a girl off to her room if she is out of sorts, and coddles her up with pills and tea. She don't do it unless she sees reason." "Why didn't you ask to see Rotha? It would have looked better." "I never thought of it," said Antoinette laughing. "Because, really, I didn't want to see her. I should rather think I didn't!" "You had better ask to-morrow." "Very well. And what shall I say about the coat?" "I suppose I shall have to get her one," Mrs. Busby said grimly. "Then she will want a hat, mamma." "I'll send your grey plush." "She won't wear it." "Mrs. Mowbray will make her. _She_ won't hear nonsense." "Who does, mamma? Not you, I am sure."