"Oh, well," said Harriet; "he is a very troublesome little boy now. But, nevertheless, I am pleased. His father has made a most ridiculous proposal. He said that Ralph was to choose one of us to be his school-mother--I can tell you it was thought a great honour--and he chose me." "You?" cried Pattie. "Yes; are you surprised?" "Oh, no!" answered Pattie; but she was, nevertheless. "Well, I am the chosen one, and I can tell you I had my triumph. Those other girls, especially that new girl, Robina Starling, was sure that one of them would be cock-o'-the-walk; but not a bit of it--my little boy chose me." "That was nice for you," said Pattie; "only I should not have thought you would have cared to be bothered by a child." "It's not that," said Harriet, lowering her voice; for, really, under the circumstances, any sympathiser was better than none. "A good deal depends on it. I will explain to you another time. Of course, there are drawbacks. I have the charge of that small person, and in consequence can't enjoy myself at the picnic to-day." "Oh, what a pity!" said Pattie. "It is, isn't it?" "And you are all alone this lovely, lovely day?" "It is true," said Harriet. "Well, I suppose I must take the rough with the smooth." "I tell you what," cried Pattie, in some excitement. "Couldn't you come home and have tea with me? It would be such fun! You might bring Ralph with you, you know. Of course, you would be allowed to come, and it is only a stone's throw away." "I wish I could; I'd like it very much," said Harriet. "Do come," said Pattie. "We'll manage afterwards to go out and see the fair in the village." "Oh. I am sure I wouldn't be allowed to take Ralph to the fair." "He need not come; indeed, we wouldn't want him. We'd manage somehow to leave him behind; there are lots of people at home to look after him. Oh, do, do come. You need not say a word to anybody." Harriet thought for a minute. After all, Miss Ford had no control over her. Miss Ford had only the charge of the little children; there was no one's leave to be asked. She was the school-mother of Ralph. Of course, it must never be told, for it was against the strict rules of the school that any girl should venture out of the grounds without leave. It is true that Harriet had gone in the spring cart to town last week; but, after all, she had got leave to do that, for she had run to the house to ask for it. "If Mrs Burton was at home, I know she would not mind," said Harriet eagerly. "But I can't ask her leave, as she isn't here. If we go, we must be back quite early; we must be back before old Ford misses us. That's the nuisance!" "You can manage that," said Pattie. "It's early now. We'll go straight home, and have tea. Then Mother or someone will look after that little Ralph of yours, and you and I will just run down to the fair, and see what is to be seen. Do, do come, Harriet! I should so love to have you!" "All right," said Harriet.