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'What is the matter with you?' 'Nothing particular,' answered Elsie, 'but I miss Amy, rather. I wish she would speak to me again. I am sure I am very sorry if I have done anything to vex her.'

'Yes, I think she is most unkind to you,' replied Milly. It is nothing but jealousy, because

she thinks that you like me.'

'I don't see that there is anything in that to be jealous of,' said Elsie.

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We enjoyed ourselves so much at the Delsons' on Saturday,' continued Milly. 'We spent the whole day there, and came home after tea.'

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Then you saw Miss Best. Didn't you like her? I am very fond of her,' said Elsie.

'I liked her pretty well,' answered Milly, 'but I did not see very much of her. Julia Delson says that she is most fearfully strict.'

'I only wish she was my governess,' replied Elsie, ‘mamma says that I must have one soon.'

'I daresay you will be able to get Miss Best then, as she is almost sure to leave Mrs. Delson's very soon, for Julia says that her mamma thinks her a very inferior governess.'

'Oh, that will be delightful for me!' exclaimed

Elsie, I shall ask mamma to let her come here, because I know mamma likes her.'

'I cannot stay any longer now, but do write to me and tell me all the news,' said Milly, as she got up from her seat by Elsie to go.

'Yes, I will write to you,' answered Elsie. 'Good-bye, Milly.'

Milly ran back, feeling very well satisfied with herself, thinking that she had done a very good thing for Miss Best in finding a situation for her. The next day she went home, and in the evening her sisters arrived. They were both

.

nearly fifteen, and

older than Milly; Edith was Annie was thirteen. They had also brought a school friend with them to spend the holidays, as Mrs. Ellis had said they might. Emma Ray was the name of the girl who had come with them. She lived in Jersey, and she had nowhere to go for her holidays, as she could not travel all that distance more than once a year, so she had had to remain at school all the Christmas holidays, but was going home at Midsummer. Edith and Annie were both fond of her, so they had chosen her for their holiday companion. Emma soon felt at home with them all, for they

were very kind to her, and she took an immense fancy to Jamie, as she had a little brother about the same age.

The girls had plenty to talk of that evening, giving funny descriptions of things which had happened at school, and talking about the girls and the mistresses. Milly began to think that she should really like to go to school, and try what it was like.

The next day passed pleasantly, and towards five o'clock every one was prepared to meet the brother boy, David.

At a quarter-past five he came, looking bright and merry as ever. He was a fine handsome boy of fourteen, and a great darling at home, on account of his good temper. He was always up to fun, and now and then a little bit of harmless mischief. Annie was rather what is called a Tom-boy, so they were usually found together.

Milly had already begun to feel a little jealous at seeing that Emma appeared to take the notice from her sisters which she had generally had during the holidays. She did not choose to think how much better a companion Emma was for them, being older and more sensible. Milly only

thought it very unfair, and disliked Emma in

consequence.

She brooded over it silently, as she had no one to whom she could tell her trouble, for she knew that David would only laugh at it, and say 'fiddles!' As they all said good-night, David's

last words were

'I say, we'll have some fun to-morrow, won't we?'

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HE next morning Milly felt rather startled when her mamma told her

that she had just received a letter from Mrs. Ferrar to say that Amy had the measles.

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What a fortunate thing,' continued Mrs. Ellis, 'that you came home in time to escape infection, Milly, for if you had stayed there you would certainly have taken it.'

'What fun shall we have this morning?' asked Annie.

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'Let us go fishing,' answered David.

Yes, I know a capital place in the river,' added Milly.

This was settled, and directly after breakfast

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