with Nina, was hiding behind a large rosebush, looked up just in time to
see the garden gate open.

"Look!" she whispered.

"Why, that's Arabella!" said Nina, "but why has she brought her Aunt
Matilda with her?"

"I guess she didn't," whispered Mollie, "it's likely her Aunt Matilda's
bringing _her_."

Nina stifled a laugh, and they saw the two go along the walk, and enter
the cottage.

Flossie, who had been "it," ran quite around the house, and the others
"ran in," Reginald loudly shouting, "All in, all in!"

Flossie returned, laughing gaily to think that they had all got in free.
Then they commenced to talk of the new pupil, and quite forgot their
game.

The schoolroom windows were open, and Aunt Matilda's shrill, piping
voice could be plainly heard, but the children were not near enough to
know what she was saying.

They saw her turn to go, and then, when she reached the door, she drew
something from her bag, and placed it in Arabella's hand.

"What _do_ you s'pose she's giving her?" whispered Nina.