"What can I do for you, naughty school-mother?" he said. "Look here, Ralph; I won't be called by that name," said Harriet. "I dislike it very much. If you think me naughty, you ought not to speak to me." "Oh--I--I love you!" said Ralph. "Then show it in some less unpleasant way," said Harriet, who now that she had given tongue to some of her grievance, flew in a regular passion; "and," she added, rising as she spoke, "I don't know what the rest of you mean to do, but I shan't ride this morning. I don't like riding donkeys, so that's all about it." She got up and marched from the room. Mr Durrant had already gone. The eyes of the rest of the school-mothers followed her, and Jane's face grew first white and then pink. "Oh Jane," said Robina, the minute Harriet had gone, "what _is_ the matter now? I am sure I don't mind riding one of the donkeys and Harriet can have Bo-peep. Do run after her and tell her so; do, please, Jane. It'll spoil all our fun if she doesn't come down; please get her to come." "But," said Ralph, "I know father will want you to ride Bo-peep, Robina; for he said so last night. He said he had not seen you yet on Bo-peep, and he was ever so anxious to, and 'sides--your habit wouldn't fit Harriet: Harriet is much thinner than you." "Yes; I never thought of that," replied Robina. "Well, I do wish she wouldn't be so troublesome. Shall I go and find her, and try and bring her round to a proper sense of things; it is too hard that she should spoil all the fun." "No, don't; there is no use in it," said Jane. "But I will," said Robina; "she must not be so inconsiderate. Think what dear Mr Durrant will say. Ralph, my darling, come with me and coax poor Harriet. You know she loves you very much." "Yes; let's coax her," said Ralph. He took Robina's hand and they left the dining-room. As they were going upstairs Ralph said, still clinging hard to Robina's hand: "I love Harriet, but I love you much, much, _much_ the best." "Love us both," said Robina, "and don't say which of us you love best." "Oh, I can't help it," said Ralph. "Harriet's nice sometimes, but you are nice always, and I am very glad you have got Bo-peep." "Well, we must do our very best to make Harriet come with us to-day," said Robina, and she knocked as she spoke at that young lady's door. A sulky voice from within murmured something, and Robina opened the door. Harriet was standing with her back to the door. She was pretending to gaze out of the window. When the knock came, she imagined that it was Jane, coming to expostulate with her. Had this happened, she would probably have given vent to her feelings in no measured language; but when she turned and saw Robina, the smouldering fire in her breast rose to white heat. "Go away!" she said, just glancing at Robina and Ralph and then resuming her position with her back to them. "I am busy at present: go away."