"And you are clever enough to help me," answered Harriet. "Well, let's say no more now; mum's the word. They're going to have tea on the lawn, and we may as well join the others. I shall not feel nearly so bad now, Janie, since you are my friend, and we are making up a little plot together. Let's think very hard. Let's put on our considering caps, and let's meet again here this hour to-morrow." "Oh, Harriet!" said Jane. "I am glad and I'm sorry. I'm a bit frightened, and yet my heart goes pit-a-pat with excitement. I do love you, Harriet. Oh dear, oh dear! I wonder if this is desperately wicked!" "I'll give you a kiss if you will faithfully promise not to say one word of our conversation to another soul," said Harriet. Her kisses were considered great favours by the hungry Jane, who now received solemnly a peck on her forehead from Harriet. "We'd best not be seen too much together," said Harriet. "I will go round by the fish-pond to the lawn, and you can run into the house and come out that way." There is no doubt whatever that these two girls felt a very extra spice of naughtiness in their hearts on that afternoon. Meanwhile, Robina was enjoying herself; she was the centre of a large circle of girls. She was very nicely dressed, to begin with; and she looked, if not pretty, yet exceedingly interesting; her face was so full of intelligence and her expression was so varying, that it was quite a delight to watch her when she talked. She had the merriest laugh, too, like a peal of bells, and she had a very good-natured way of drawing a neglected girl to her side, and putting her arm about her and making friends with her for the time being. In particular, she was fond of little children, and the small girls of the school clung round her, pressing up to her side, and begging to be allowed to sit on her knee and fondle her, as tiny girls will. The first form in the school at present only consisted of four little girls. There were Patty and Cissy Price--two wee sisters of seven and six years of age; and there was Curly Pate--as they called her--the youngest girl of all, who was not yet quite six; and there was little Annie, who was older than the others, but very small in stature and very delicate. Curly Pate was the baby of the school, and was somewhat spoiled in consequence. She was a perfect roly-poly creature, with fat arms and creasy, fat neck and little fat legs. Her face was perfectly round--as round as a ball, and she had blue eyes and a soft complexion, and fluffy, curly, baby hair all over her little head. Her hair was short and thick, and of that fine, fine quality which only very tiny children and babies possess.