"No," said Robina; "unless Harriet greatly minds, I should prefer you to stay, Jane. You are her special friend, and you ought to witness what I am about to say to her. I don't think that you, Harriet, and you, Jane, have many secrets from each other." The two other girls were silent, but they both felt uncomfortable. "What I have to say," continued Robina, "can be said in a very few words indeed. I have just to tell you this, Harriet. I have made up my mind to withdraw from the competition which was set to all the school-girls who came to this house, but which was especially intended to be a competition between you and me. I do not now wish to be Ralph Durrant's school-mother: you will therefore have no difficulty to-morrow morning, for there will be no one to compete with you. I am now going to tell Mr Durrant what I have decided." "But I say," cried Harriet, "you must have some reason for this!" "I have my reasons, but those I am not prepared to give," said Robina. "I know," continued Harriet, speaking in great excitement; "you nasty, horrid spitfire! You find that you have utterly failed--that you have not a chance of getting the position that you so covet; therefore you think you will make an imposing appearance if you withdraw from the competition. But let me tell you, that is monstrously unfair! You ought not to withdraw at the eleventh hour." "That is my affair," said Robina. "Even if I were elected school-mother to-morrow, I should not accept the position." "Oh, wouldn't you?" said Harriet. "It is so fine to hear you talking in that way; you know perfectly well that you would just give your eyes for it." "If that is your opinion, you are welcome to keep it," said Robina. "But anyhow, my mind is quite made up." She was turning to go, when Harriet ran after her. "Robina," she said, "do you mean--that is, you will go without saying anything?" "Ask me no questions; when you are made school-mother, I suppose you will be content: and I suppose--at least I hope you will be good to little Ralph." Robina's lips quivered. Before Harriet could utter another word she had pushed her brusquely aside, and disappeared in the direction towards the house. Book 2--CHAPTER FOURTEEN. PATIENCE INTERFERES. It was now early in September, and although the weather was quite warm, the days were of course shortening considerably. Mrs Burton's school was to re-open on the fifteenth of September. It was now the fourth day of the month; there was, therefore, practically ten days' holiday still remaining for the girls.