E. Nesbit

“ Madeleine can have my balls, and les graces—you can divide my school books and cahiers among you. Madeleine can have the silks and things in my desk, and Colombe is to have all my pencils and my paint box. Here’s the key of the grenier, Colombe. Be brave but discreet as a brigand captain should. ”

“ But you’re safe, aren’t you?”
“I am to be trusted to the death,” said Doris, sleepily. “What is it?”
“Only a pretty, pretty. I’d tell you in a minute only I think you’ll enjoy being surprised tomorrow when your eyes are wider open.”
“I am desolate that she departs, the dear Daphne,” Marie was saying; “she is so spiritual—so full of vivacity. Alas, what will school be, lacking its guardian angel?”
“She is indeed a strong spirit,” said Guilberte. “And pretty—pretty enough to bite,” sighed Madeleine. ”

“ When you are as young as I am, you’ll understand and forgive me, Miss Carmichael. It was so delightful to play a part that wasn’t the English master’s.”
“Yes, I know,” said Daphne, eager to show that she deserved these confidences. “Life would be dreadful if one didn’t play at things.” ”

“ By Jove—I mean forget-me-not—I wish you weren’t going!”
“If you think,” said Daphne, loftily, “that I should go on climbing up trees to tell you how young I am, you’re mistaken. It’s only because I knew I was going tomorrow that I’ve talked to you at all.”
“If that’s so,” he said, eagerly, “couldn’t we—mayn’t I—Look here, Miss Carmichael, it’s really most frightfully hard not to begin playing at fairy princesses again. There’s something about your eyes, or perhaps it’s the way your hair blows about. You’ll never see me again, as you say. Give me your hand. ”

“ Candles stuck up by the simple method of melting the ends and applying them to the table, stood all along its length. The final feast was for the little dormitory alone. The big dormitories had had this explained to them with chocolate arguments. The scouts were posted. The guests were dressed. Daphne was to go first, to light the candles and put the final touches. Doris, for the first time, was to be one of the revellers.
“Cover her face up as you carry her through the grenier,” Daphne whispered to Columbine; “say you don’t want her to catch cold. ”

“ Let me take the little wings off, my own Dormouse.” The wings rustled to the floor and Doris nestled her head under her sister’s chin. “Colombe,” Daphne whispered, “do recite or something. Don’t let everything be a failure now—at the last minute.” ”

“ After the idiotic way I behaved this morning, you must, I’m sure, have been afraid that I should be here again. The fact is, life as an English master in a French school is not a dazzling round of gaiety. And boredom tends to crime. ”

“ She told—and “Oh,” she said, ending her tale, “it is so nice to talk to someone who understands. The others, you know, I just order them about. I wish you’d been one of the girls. We’d have been tremendous chums.”
“Indeed,” he said, “I think we should. And so the banquet’s to be held in the old grenier?”
“No—the room at the back of it, where the broken skylight is. I meant to sit in the bishop’s chair and wear a crown and be queen of the revels. I’m afraid you think it’s very silly, but one must do something besides lessons.” ”