y made and unbecoming, and one and all looked untidy, and a little run to seed. Their ages were as varied as their faces. Helen, aged sixteen, had a slightly plump figure, a calm, smooth, oval

d very slim. Her face was small, her hair nearly black and very untidy

known in the family as "Firefly." Her real name was Lucy, but no one ever dreamt of calling her by this gentle title. "Firefly" was almost always in some sort of disgrace, and scarcely knew what it was not to live in a state of perpetual mental hot water. It was priva

er plan a trial. I think she is right when she tells me that if it turns out successful nothing would please your mother more. It entirely depends on yourselves whether it succeeds or fails. If you are agree

the little group, and taking up a parcel of papers and a surgical case which lay near, went st

e Helen was surrounde

tell us-tell us quickly,

few days," said Dolly. "Do tell us what it is, N

agree to things," said Firefly. "Wha

ith the budget of news. And you young ones, you had better not interrupt

is," sai

d, tall and defiant, at her back. Firefly dropped on h

in mother's way as possible. And he says that he is willing, for a time at

imed Polly, "was there eve

spectacles,"

d nose," rem

lse teeth, and I'd hate her," snapped Fir

w-how an elderly governess came, and Aunt Maria Cameron has written to father about two already. She speaks of them as treasures; father showed me the l

"Well, what did you answer hi

yish hair. Aunt Maria sent her photograph, and said that she was a treasure, and

given her sore bones," spi

o try, girls, if you are agreeable. Father is going to get the very best daily governess from Nettleship to come here every morning. She will stay until after early dinner, and then George will drive her back to town in the pony trap. And then Mr

ly was silent, and Firefly, eagerly watch

lity of the whole thing rests on me. And also, girls, father says that there must be some one in absolute authority. There must be some one who can settle disputes, and keep things in order, and so he says that unless

oking anxiously round, "but I don't think I'll be hard

nt-I'll think about it. Come along, Fly," she nodded to her younger sister, and then, lifting the heavy bo

Parrot, it would be a different thing, but I don't want to obey Nell. I don't think it's fair; she's only my sister, like the rest of

and facing round on Firefly, in a way which caused that young person to back several

. "If it was you, it would be different. I alwa

rests with yourself. Don't obey our dear, good, gentle Nelly, and you'll have Miss Jenkins here. Won't it be fun to see her squinting at you over her

er-garden. She felt very much inclined to stamp her feet and to screw up her thin little face into contortions of rage. Even very little girls, however,

ed back to the house. The nearer she approached the study window the faster grew her footsteps. At las

," she said. "I'd much rathe

really shook herself, for she

und her waist, so as to establish her comfortably on her knee. The other girls were all lying about