gambling

"The first thing to do is to appoint a committee," she began.Bridget stood and watched her. Olive kept a little apart, and the smaller girls clustered close together, watching their new friend's face with interest and admiration.

Mrs. Freeman got up, and sounded an electric bell in the wall.

She stood for a minute or two, then walked slowly back to the window, out of which her schoolmistress leaned.Dorothy could not restrain her laughter.

gambling

The girls took their places at the table—grace was said, and the meal began.Marshall departed, and Bridget lifted the cover from her plate and looked at the nice hot lamb and green peas.The child's words were almost incoherent. Alice, who was not quite so excitable, began to pour out a queer story.

"There is nothing whatever for it," murmured Mrs. Freeman; "I must punish the poor child in a way she will really feel. If this fails, and I cannot break her in[Pg 57] before the end of the term, I must ask her father to remove her.""But your castle isn't half a mile big," said Katie, another small girl. "And you did say your father lived there with you, and, of course, there must have been some servants."

[Pg 31]

"Is she? I love her—she is a sweet darling! And you really want me to love you, Mrs. Freeman? Well, then, I will. Take a hug now—there, that's comfortable."

"We are not by ourselves when we are together," replied Bridget. "Come along, girls, don't be such little despicable cowards! I'll square it with Mrs.[Pg 44] Freeman. You trust me. Mrs. Freeman will forgive us everything when the queen is coming back. Now, do let's be quick, we haven't a minute to lose!"