They flew in self-reproachful manner to getting her off to her room and making their own things fly. "After all, we are a beastly set of prigs," called out Jean to Elma. "And I think I ought to have a biscuit-coloured straw, don’t you?" It was one of a series of encounters with which the new tactics of Mabel invaded the family. Mrs. Leighton’s gentle rule was sorely tried for quite a long time in this way. Although she reasoned with the younger girls on the side of Mabel, she took Mabel severely to task for her behaviour over the flower show. "It wasn’t nice of you," she told her, "to cut off any little invitation for your sisters. You must not begin by being selfish, you know. There are few enough things happening here not to spread the opportunities. Jean wouldn’t have troubled you. She may be at the gawky stage, but she makes plenty of friends." Mrs. Leighton could be very impartial in her judgments. But Mabel was hurt. She preserved a superior air, which became extremely annoying to the girls. The greatest crime that she committed was when Jean, amiably engaging her in conversation in the old way, asked, "And how was Adelaide Maud dressed?" Mabel turned in a very studied manner and stared past Jean and every one. "I don’t think I observed Adelaide Maud," she said. This was more than human beings could stand. "I think it’s most ir--ir----" "Oh, find the word first and talk afterwards," said Mabel grandly. "You kids get on one’s nerves." "Kids--nerves," cried Jean faintly. "I think Mabel is taking brain fever."