"Well, it is extremely unfair," said Kathleen. "From all you have been
telling me, the foundation girls must be particularly clever. I tell you
what it is: I think I shall take to you."

"Oh, would you, indeed, miss?" said Susy, her eyes sparkling. "There are
a hundred of us, you know, in the school."

"That is a great number. And Ruth Craven is really one?"

"She is, miss. She isn't a bit better than the rest of us."

"And I love her already."

"She is no better than the rest of us," repeated Susan Hopkins.

"I have a great mind to take to you all, to make a fuss about you, and
to show the others how badly they behave."

"You'd be a queen amongst us; there's no doubt about that."

"It would be lovely, and it would be a tremendous bit of naughtiness,"
thought Kathleen.

"Do you think you will, miss? Because, if you do, I will tell the
others. We could meet you and talk over things."

"Well, I will decide to-morrow. I will enclose a letter with your
brooch. Good-bye now; I must go in and kiss my darling Ruth."