Mr. Cardew said nothing more. After a time he bade his friends good-by and returned to Meredith Manor. In course of time the little pony-carriage was sent down to the rectory for the Cardew girls, who went back greatly elated. How delightful their evening had been, and what a marvelous girl Maggie Howland was.' "Why, she even manages to subdue and to rule those really tiresome boys," said Cicely. "Yes," remarked Merry, "she is like no one else." "You have quite fallen in love with her, haven't you, Merry?" "Well, perhaps I have a little bit," said Merry. She looked thoughtful. She longed to say to Cicely, "How I wish beyond all things on earth that I were going to the same school!" But a certain fidelity to her father kept her silent. She was startled, therefore, when Cicely herself, who was always supposed to be much calmer than Merry, and less vehement in her desires, clasped her sister's hand and said with emphasis, "I don't know, after all, if it is good for us to see too much of Maggie Howland." "Why, Cissie? What do you mean?" "I mean this," said Cicely: "she makes me--yes, I will say it--discontented." "And me too," said Merry, uttering the words with an emphasis which astonished herself. "We have talked of school over and over again," said Cicely, "with Molly and Belle; but notwithstanding their glowing accounts we have been quite satisfied with Miss Beverley, and dear, gray-haired Mr. Bennett, and Mr. Vaughan; but now I for one, don't feel satisfied any longer." "Nor do I," said Merry. "Oh Merry!" "It is true," said Merry. "I want to go to Aylmer House." "And I am almost mad to go there," said Cicely. "I'll tell you something, Cissie. I spoke to father about it to-day." "Merry! you didn't dare?" "Well, I just did. I couldn't help myself. It is hateful to be under-educated, and you know we shall never be like other girls if we don't see something of the world." "He didn't by any chance agree with you?" said Cicely. "Not a bit of it," said Merry. "We must bear with our present life, only perhaps we oughtn't to see too much of Maggie Howland." "Well," said Cicely, "I've something to tell you, Merry." "What's that?" "You don't know just at present why mother and I went to Warwick this morning?" "No," said Merry, who was rather uninterested. "I had a very good time with Maggie, and didn't miss you too dreadfully." "Well, you will be interested to know why we did go, all the same," said Cicely. "It's because Miss Beverley is knocked up and can't teach us any more, and Mr. Bennett is going to London. Mother can't hear of anyone to take Miss Beverley's place, or of any music-teacher equal to Mr. Bennett; so, somehow or other, I feel that there are changes in the air. Oh Merry, Merry! suppose----"