She was completely under Harriet's spell, and never more so than at the present moment when Harriet dangled before her so tempting a bait. Now Harriet, exceedingly annoyed at what Ralph had communicated, sought her chosen friend. "Well, Jane," she said, "this is Friday. We shall be back at Sunshine Lodge on Tuesday next, and then the great decision has to be made. Have you thought of anything?" "Have I thought of anything?" said Jane, almost crossly. "I am always thinking of things, Harriet, you know very well." "But if you don't think of something good and clever, you may as well not think at all," said Harriet. "Now, do you know that I don't like my present position at all. There's that horrid Robina--she is exactly the sort of girl who, to spoil my chances, would equally spoil her own. She said as much, and if we don't manage to circumvent her between now and Tuesday, all will be up." "I would do anything in all the world to help you, as you know, Harriet," said Jane; "but please tell me what circumvent means?" "Why, get the better of her, of course, you goose! You really are too silly," said Harriet. "Well, how are we to get the better of her? I want you to tell me." "I wish I could!" "Oh, you don't think at all!" said Harriet in a fretful tone. "If, instead of romping and joking and laughing all day with that silly Vivian or Rose or any of the other girls, you were to put on your considering cap, you would soon find a way to earn your five pounds." "I want it most dreadfully," said Jane: "but please tell me how I am to earn it, Harriet. What is it you want me to do?" "Well, I tell you what I want you to do. I want you to do; two things. To prove in some sort of fashion to Mr Durrant that Robina is deceitful--yes, that is it, deceitful; he thinks more of truth than of anything under the sun--and that I am exceedingly brave, and exceedingly noble. I gave Ralph the hint to tell his father that I was both brave and noble--you know all about that as far as is connected with the pond. Well, what do you think Mr Durrant has said? He says that if Ralph can prove his words, he will elect me as the school-mother. The deed will be done. There will be no getting out of it; but it has got to be proved--how? I leave you, Jane, to find out a way." "Oh, it isn't so easy," said Poor Jane. "You want your five pounds, don't you?" said Harriet, with a sneer. "Yes, I want it awfully. I heard from Bobbie and Miriam this morning and--" "I don't want to hear about those tiresome children. Now let us come to the boat; they are calling us: don't you hear them?" Book 2--CHAPTER TWELVE. EDGED TOOLS. Mr Durrant's prophecies with regard to the weather turned out true. The "Sea-Gull" made with some difficulty into Yarmouth harbour, where it remained snugly ensconced for the night. But even there, although securely at anchor, it tossed about a good deal, and none of the children slept particularly well.