present of a suggestion by pointing to the back of a letter. Neither
write nor white would come into her head, though little Fergus
signalized himself, just before he was swept off to bed, by seizing a
pen and making strokes!

After his departure, Lady Merrifield read aloud 'The Old oak
Staircase,' which had been kept to begin when Dolores came, Hal taking
the book in turn with his mother. And so ended Dolores' first day of
banishment.




CHAPTER V.

THE FIRST WALK



'What a lot of letters for you, mamma!' cried Mysie.

'Papa!' exclaimed Fergus and Primrose.

'No, it is not the right day, my dears. But here is a letter from Aunt
Ada.'

'Oh!' in a different tone.

'She writes for Aunt Jane. They will come down here next Monday
because Aunt Jane is wanted to address the girls at the G.F.S. festival