"Dear Robina!" said Rose, running up to her and taking her hand. "Do sit down and be cosy with us all. Isn't it nice to be back again at Sunshine Lodge! We have ten more happy days to spend here before school begins." "I haven't," said Robina, gently; "I am going away to-morrow." "You are going away to-morrow!" cried several voices; while others said, "What?" and others again exclaimed: "Oh Robina! what do you mean?" and yet others cried, "No, no, we can't stand this, we are no: going to allow it; we couldn't live without you, Robina!" "You are all sweet," said Robina, "and I love you very much; and perhaps--I am not quite sure what may happen now--but perhaps I may meet you again at Abbeyfield. But that is not the point. I am leaving here to-morrow: I am going home." "But Robina, Robina, why? tell us why." "There is no special secret," said Robina. "I did not mean to say anything about it to you--at least, not quite so soon; but as I have met you, I may as well say I have made up my mind--I love Ralph very dearly, but I am not going to be his school-mother. I mean," she added proudly, "that I shan't compete. I haven't the slightest doubt that the decision will be made against me, but now, whether it is made for or against me, I shan't compete. I am just going to tell Harriet that she need not have any fear, and then I shall speak to Mr Durrant and I will ask him to let me go back to father and mother. I can't explain any more than that. It--it isn't exactly my fault: I am puzzled a good deal; and perhaps if I were one of you, I could do differently, but being myself, there is nothing for it but to withdraw." "But there _is_ something for it," said Patience Chetwold. "You are withdrawing because you know something, and because you won't say it, and is that right or fair either to Mr Durrant or Ralph? Robina, before you leave us, you have got to answer one question, and to answer it truthfully." "Well, what is it?" said Robina. "You have never told a lie, and you know that," said Patience. "I don't think I ever have," said Robina, thoughtfully. "No, I am sure I never have told even the tiniest little half lie." "Very well," said Patience, in a voice of triumph; "you will tell the truth now." "Or be silent," said Robina. "Oh well, we will take your silence for what it is worth. Anyhow," said Patience, "have I the permission of the rest of you girls to ask Robina a question in all our names?" "Certainly, certainly!" they said; and they crowded round Patience, who placed herself in the middle of the group. Patience was a tall, fair-haired girl with a great deal of quiet power and dignity in her own way.