Meantime the four girls had congregated in the room appropriated to
Vera and Paulina. "Here are the necessaries of life," said Agatha,
handing out a brush and comb. "That slow wain may roll its course in
utter darkness before it comes here."

"To the other end of nowhere," said Vera.

"And I am so tired," whined Thekla. "These tight boots do hurt me
so! I want to go to bed."

Paulina was already on her knees, removing the boots and
accommodating a pair of slippers to the little feet.

"We might as well be in a desert island," continued Vera, "shut up
from everything with an old frump."

"Take care," said Agatha, in warning, signing towards Thekla.

"I am sure she looks jolly and good-natured," said Paulina.

"But did you hear what Elsie Lee always calls her, 'our maiden
aunt'?"

All three laughed, and Vera added, "All the girls say she can't be
less than fifty."

"Topsy! You know she is only sixteen years older than I am."

"Well, that's half a hundred!"