"Oh, Mabs, it’s shameful of me. And it will be so jolly for Jean. And you too! Oh, Mabs, shall I ever go to London, do you think?" "You go and ask that duck of a father of ours--now--at present--this instant, and he will promise you anything in the world. No, don’t, dear. On second thoughts he needs every bit of you here. Elma! Play up now. Play up like the little brick you are. You and Betty play up, and I’ll bless you for ever. Don’t you know I’m skipping all that racketing crowd. I’m skipping Robin. I’m skipping Sarah! Think of skipping the delectable Sarah!" She shook her fist in the direction of the Merediths’ house. "And what is more, dear Elma, I am skipping Isobel." She said that in a whisper. They had all the feeling that Isobel was a presence, not always a mere physical reality. Elma had not seen Mabel in such a joyous mood for weeks. "And it’s also because I feel I can soon square up Jean, and make her fit," said Mabel; "so that I’m of some use, you see, in going. I’m quite sure Jean is only home-sick after all." She trilled and sang as she packed. "Won’t you be home-sick yourself, Mabel?" asked Elma anxiously. "I have to get over that sooner or later. I shall begin now," said Mabel. "Won’t it be beastly in that girls’ club?" wailed Betty. "Oh, I’m sure it will," quivered Mabel. She sank in a heap on the floor. "Whatever possessed Jean to go off on that wild chase, I can’t think," cried Betty. "I know," said Elma. "What?" "Isobel." The gate clicked outside and there were voices. Betty crept to the window-sill and looked over. Mabel and Elma stood silent in the room. Crunching footsteps and then Isobel’s voice, then Robin’s, then "Good-night." Mabel, with a smothered little laugh, flung a blouse into her trunk. "Isn’t it ripping, I’m going to London," said she. CHAPTER XVIII "Love of our Lives" Elma in the privacy of her best confidences had called Isobel a bounder. The iniquity, viewed even only in the light of a discourtesy, alarmed her, and made her more than anything "buck up" to being "nice" to her cousin. Isobel had been quite taken aback by the news of Mabel’s departure. She had bargained for almost anything rather than that. Jean had continually rubbed it in that Mabel was no use for going anywhere away from home. And now she was being sent to succour Jean. Isobel had gone out with the news for everybody that Mr. and Mrs. Leighton would be leaving in the morning. She had even made some plans. Now, what she looked upon as the tutelage of Mr. and Mrs. Leighton remained, and Mabel, whom she already regarded as the most useful companion where her own interests were concerned, was going off to London.