last for ever. Looking at your books cannot spoil it."

"Yes, it will; they are so nasty."

"Perhaps you will not always think so; but now you had better put on
your hat and your thick boots, for the grass is still very wet, and
explore the country. The same advice to you," she added, turning to
the others; "it is warm here, but the dew lies long on the slopes."

"We have got a great deal too much to do," said Agatha, "for dawdling
about just now."

Really, she was chiefly prompted by the satisfaction of not being
ordered about; and the other two followed suit, while Magdalen turned
away to her household business.

They found the housemaid in possession of the bedrooms, so that the
unpacking plans could not conveniently be begun; and while Agatha was
struggling with the straps of a book box, Thekla burst in upon them.

"Oh, Nag, Nag, there is the loveliest angel of a bicycle in the
stable, and a dear little pony besides! 'New tyre wheels,' he says."

"A bicycle! Well, if she has got it for us, she is an angel indeed,"
said Vera.

"It is a big one," said Thekla, "but the pony is a dear little thing;
Pixy is his name, and I can ride him! Do come, Flapsy, and see!
Earwaker will show you. It is he that does the oiling of Pixy and
harnessing the bicycle. I mean--"