let me speak!"--as Kate interrupted with a hasty exclamation. "She
thinks that we are just as good as herself. There is no false pride
about a real lady, girls; and the end of it is that she has a plan to
propose--something for our benefit and for her benefit. See for
yourselves; this is her letter. It is in her own beautiful Irish,
handwriting. You can read it, only don't tear it all to bits."

The girls did read the letter. They pressed close together, and one
peeped over the shoulder of her companion, another stood on tiptoe,
while a third tried to snatch the letter from the hand of her fellow;
but all managed to read the words: "Get as many foundation girls as you
can to meet me, at whatever place you like to appoint, this evening. I
have a plan to propose." This letter and the end of the postscript
excited the girls; there was no doubt whatever of that. "The plan is
_gloryious_." They laughed at the word, smiled into each others' faces,
and stood very close together consulting.

"The old quarry," whispered Rosy.

"That's the place!" exclaimed Mary.

"Let us meet her, we seven by ourselves," was Kate's final suggestion.
"We will then know what she wants, and if there is anything in it. We
can form a committee, and get other girls to join by degrees. Hurrah! I
do say this is fun."

Susy was now quite petted by her companions. The conference hastily
ended, and on entering the school Susy pinned a piece of paper under
Kathleen's desk, on which she wrote: "The old quarry; nine o'clock this
evening. Will meet you at a quarter to nine outside Mrs. Tennant's