"That seemed to me just what you were doing," said Agatha, "when he
was so kind and helpful about my box."

"Oh, THEY were all there, and we did not want to be talked of," said
Vera, blushing. "He understands."

"He understands," repeated Paula. "We do see him at the church and
at the Sisters'. Those dear Sisters! There is no nonsense about
them. You will love them, Nag."

"Well, it does not seem to me to be treating our own sister Magdalen
fairly."

"The M.A.!" said Vera, in a tone of wonder.

"No; not to be intimate with a person you do not introduce to her,
because you do not think she would consider him as on equal terms."

"Sister Beata quite approves," added Paula, sincerely, not guessing
how little Sister Beata knew of the situation, of which she only
heard through the medium of her own representations to Sister Mena.

The two girls rushed into the charms of these two Sisters, and the
plan for an entertainment for the maidens of the Guild of St.
Milburgha, at which they were to assist. It lasted up to the gate of
the Goyle, where Magdalen and Thekla were ready to meet them; and
they trooped merrily up the hill, Agatha keeping to Magdalen's side
in a way that struck her as friendly and affectionate. It seemed to
be more truly coming HOME than the elder sister had dared to