Robina, whose eyes had been quite dull, and who had felt an indescribable and most painful weight at her heart, quite brightened up when she saw the birds. She amused herself taking her chair from one window to another and examining the feathered creatures, who had now curled themselves up into round fluffy balls, and were sound asleep. Not for the world would she awaken them; but a new, tender sort of light came into her eyes as she watched them. "Pretty darlings!" she said softly, under her breath. Her whole queer little face became happier in expression after she had examined the pet birds of the third form. She then crossed the room to look at the parrot. The parrot was an old grey bird with a solemn, wise face. He was not asleep: no one ever seemed to catch him nodding. He turned his head to one side and looked full at the new-comer. "Mind what you're about!" he said sharply, and then he turned his back to her as though she were not of the slightest consequence. Robina burst out laughing. The parrot laughed too, but still kept his back to her. "Mind what _you're_ about yourself," said Robina. Whereupon the parrot answered, "Ha, ha!" and the next minute began to "_miaow_" in the most distracted manner, as though he were an angry cat. Robina, now in fits of mirth, stood and regarded him. She was so employed when all the girls of the third form burst into the room. They came in in great excitement, each pair of eyes fixed upon Robina, and all the seven pairs of lips eager to say something to the girl who had so strongly excited their curiosity. "I am so glad to see you. How do you do?" said Frederica, who was slightly the oldest girl in the form, and therefore the one to take the lead. "You are Robina, are you not?" "Yes," said Robina. She spoke with extreme calm. "You must be very tired." "I am not a bit tired," said Robina. "Well, I am glad you are not. I am sorry we were not at home to welcome you. We have had a lovely picnic!" "Bother picnics!" said Robina. This was a little disconcerting. Harriet Lane began to laugh. The parrot said instantly "Mind what you're about! Ha, ha!" and everyone laughed now. The ice was broken: it was impossible to be formal after Polly had declared himself. Robina found that she was surrounded by a lot of eager, good-looking, pleasant girls. Each seemed more eager than the other to give her a hearty welcome. The soreness round her heart was soothed for the time being. She sank down on a chair and looked them all over. "You're not a bad lot for school-girls," she said; "but I don't know one from the other. Who is each? Please don't speak so fast--one at a time. You are Frederica? What a queer name! Now, who are you? And who are you? I will tell you very soon which of you I mean to be friends with. I always do what I like everywhere." "Mind what you're about! Ha, ha!" said the parrot. Book 1--CHAPTER THREE. DEVELOPMENTS.