Clover purred over her. She could not bear to have Rose feel badly.
"Wasn't Miss Jane funny?" went on Rose, with a sudden twinkle; "and
did you see Berry, and Alfred Seccomb?"

"No: where were they?"

"Close to us, standing by the fence. All the time Miss Jane was
unpinning the towel, they were splitting their sides, and Berry made
such a face at me that I nearly laughed out. That boy has a perfect
genius for faces. He used to frighten Sylvia and me into fits, when
we were little tots, up here on visits."

"Then you knew him before you came to school?"

"Oh dear, yes! I know all the Hillsover boys. We used to make mud
pies together. They're grown up now, most of 'em, and in college;
and when we meet, we're very dignified, and say, 'Miss Redding,' and
'Mr. Seccomb,' and 'Mr. Searles;' but we're just as good friends as
ever. When I go to take tea with Mrs. Seccomb, Alfred always invites
Berry to drop in, and we have the greatest fun. Mrs. Florence won't
let me go this term, though, I guess, she's so mad about the towel."

Katy was quite relieved when Clover reported this conversation. Rose,
for all her wickedness, seemed to be a little lady. Katy did not like
to class her among the girls who flirted with students whom they did
not know.

It was wonderful how soon they all settled down, and became accustomed
to their new life. Before six weeks were over, Katy and Clover felt