"Up in the wilds," said Agatha.

Magdalen felt as if these speeches were so many drops of water in her
face and that of her beautiful Goyle, but she rose in its defence.

"It actually is less than three miles," she said. "I have walked it
several times, and the cabs only charge three."

"That is testimony," said Mrs. Best, smiling; "but hills, perhaps,
reckon for miles in one's feelings!"

"Particularly before you are rested," said Magdalen, setting her down
in a comfortable wicker chair. "You will think little of it on your
own feet, Vera, and the church is much nearer, Paulina, only on the
other side of the hill."

"May I have a bicycle of my own?" burst in Thekla, again; while every
one began laughing, and Agatha told her that Sister would think her
brains were cycling.


"With centric and concentric scribbled o'er
Cycle and epicycle orb in orb."


"Epicycle?" cried Vera. "I saw it advertised in the Queen. A
splendid one."

"Ah! Magdalen, you will think I have not taught them their Milton,"