"Small fear of that!" said Magdalen, laughing. "Our home, the Goyle,
is not more than a cottage, in a beautiful Devonshire valley--"

"What's the name of it?"

"The Goyle. I believe it is a diminutive of Gully, a narrow ravine.
It is lovely even now, and will be delightful when you come to me in
April--"

"Shall I leave school?" asked Vera. "I shall be seventeen in May."

"You will all leave school. Mrs. Best has made it easy to me by her
wonderful goodness in keeping you on cheaper terms; but if Agatha
goes to the University you must be content to work for a time with
me."

"Oh!" cried Thekla. "Shall I have always holidays? My bicycle!"

Everybody burst out laughing at this--not a very trained
cachinnation, but more of the giggle, even in Agatha; and Magdalen
answered:

"You will have plenty of time for bicycling if the hills are not too
steep, but I hope to make your lessons pleasant to you." She did not
know whether to mention Mrs. Best's intention of soon giving up her
house, which would have much increased her difficulties but for her
legacy; and Agatha said, "You know, I think, that Vera and Polly both
ought to make a real study of music. They both have talent, and
cultivation would do a great deal for it."