schoolhouse, Rosie did not follow them. Instead, she hid herself in
a doorway until after the bell rang. A little later she sneaked out
of her hiding place, joined Arthur Duncan at the corner, and
disappeared into the distance. Just before twelve they both came
back. For a few moments, they kept well concealed on a side street,
out of sight of Primrose Court. But, at intervals, Rosie or Arthur
would dart out to a spot where, without being seen, they could get a
glimpse of the church clock. When the children came out of school at
twelve, they joined the crowd and sauntered home.

Monday morning Maida saw them repeat these maneuvers. She was
completely mystified by them and yet she had an uncomfortable
feeling. They were so stealthy that she could not help guessing that
something underhand was going on.

“Do you know Rosie Brine?” Maida asked Dicky Dore one evening when
they were reading together.

“Sure!” Dicky’s face lighted up. “Isn’t she a peach?”

“They say she is a tom-boy,” Maida objected. “Is she?”

“Surest thing you know,” Dicky said cheerfully. “She won’t take a
dare. You ought to see her playing stumps. There’s nothing a boy can
do that she won’t do. And have you noticed how she can spin a
top—the best I ever saw for a girl.”

Then boys liked girls to be tom-boys. This was a great surprise.

“How does it happen that she doesn’t go to school often?”