The motor omnibus started at 4.20, and as a rule the Gascoynes had quite a scramble to rush off and catch it. To-day Gwen managed to avoid Winnie and Lesbia, and waiting until they were safely off the premises, she went with Netta to the pantry. Emma was not there, but they found the parcel behind the door and appropriated it, Gwen hiding it carefully under her waterproof. Parker's china store was in the principal street of the town, nearly a quarter of an hour's walk from Rodenhurst. When the girls arrived there, several customers were in the shop, so that they had to wait a little before anyone could attend to them. "You speak to him--I don't know what to say!" whispered Gwen, thrusting the parcel into Netta's hand, as an assistant at last came to serve them. Netta had any amount of presence of mind, and did not at all object to be spokeswoman. She rapidly explained that they had had an accident, and were anxious to replace some broken articles at their own expense. The shopman opened the box, and pulling out the shavings in which the china was packed, laid the various pieces upon the counter. The girls were aghast at the extent of the damage. Several cups were smashed to atoms, the teapot had lost its lid, and the cream jug its handle. "Have you any more like them?" asked Netta anxiously. "Fortunately we have, miss," replied the assistant. "It is a pattern we usually keep in stock, and--yes, I can match them all. I can repack the box and send it out by the six-o'clock van." Gwen heaved a great sigh of relief. Miss Roscoe would receive her parcel that night, and would be no wiser for what had happened. "We shall be very glad if you will do that," she said. "And will you please tell us what we have to pay extra?" The man took the bill which had been enclosed in the box and rapidly glanced over the items. "Let me see--teapot, cream jug, three cups, four plates--the sugar basin is all right--ah! but this saucer is cracked! Sixteen and six, seventeen and nine--it will be exactly one pound two and sixpence, please." Gwen felt ready to sink through the floor. She had very little notion of the value of things, and could hardly believe that china cost so much. She looked blankly and helplessly at Netta, who after a moment's pause met the emergency. "We haven't the money with us this afternoon, I'm afraid, but we'll bring it to-morrow without fail. Will that do?" "Yes, thank you, miss, I dare say it will be all right if you give me the name." "Miss Gwen Gascoyne," said Netta promptly. "At Rodenhurst, I suppose?" "Yes." That ended the transaction, so the two girls left the shop. "Well, Gwen, my child, you've let yourself in for a nice little bill!" laughed Netta, when they found themselves in the street. "It's impossible! I can't pay it!" gasped Gwen, with hot tears trickling down her cheeks. "What am I to do?"