even if she had to yield to Sarah's greater strength--well, at least
she was up and dressed. Not like the last time--about a week ago Mother
had tried this kind of thing. Then, she had been caught unawares. She
had gone into Pin's warm place, curious and unsuspecting, and thereupon
Mother had begun to talk seriously to her, and not with her usual
directness. She had reminded Laura that she was growing up apace and
would soon be a woman; had told her that she must now begin to give up
childish habits, and learn to behave in a modest and womanly way--all
disagreeable, disturbing things, which Laura did not in the least want
to hear. When it became clear to her what it was about, she had thrown
back the bedclothes and escaped from the room. And since then she had
been careful never to be long alone with Mother.

But now half an hour went by and no one came to fetch her: her
grim little face relaxed. She felt very hungry, too, and when at length
she heard Pin calling, she jumped up and betrayed her hiding-place.

"Laura! Laura, where are you? Mother says to come to breakfast and not
be silly. The coach'll be here in an hour."

Taking hands the sisters ran to the house.

In the passage, Sarah was busy roping a battered tin box. With their own
hands the little boys had been allowed to paste on this a big sheet of
notepaper, which bore, in Mother's writing, the words:

Miss Laura Tweedle Rambotham The Ladies' College Melbourne.

Mother herself was standing at the breakfast-table cutting sandwiches.