We have taken our first steps, and now that we have quite and absolutely made up our minds, mean to leave Rosebury as quickly as possible.

It is very kind of you to be interested in us, and I am sorry that I spoke bitterly the other day, but the plan which was to divide us girls was of course impossible, and we could not listen to it for a moment.

We have made our own little scheme, and perhaps we shall not fail.

Daisy, darling, hand me dear old 'Sandford and Merton,' I have just got a nice corner for it here." Primrose went down again on her knees, and serenely continued her packing, while Miss Martineau, standing over her, then and there gave way to a burst of passion.
She was well aware that she lost ground with her pupils by not controlling her temper, but as she said afterwards, she really could not help herself.

Such coolness, such perversity, such a headstrong flying in the face of their elders, she had never encountered in three young girls before.
Poor Daisy quite sobbed, and even Jasmine felt a little frightened at Miss Martineau's bitter and angry words; but no language she could use, no threats of the direst failure she could utter, had power to shake Primrose's resolve.
"We have no guardian, and we can go if we please, and we have really made up our minds to go," replied that perverse young lady.
As a last resource Mr.Danesfield was appealed to, but he, being an old bachelor and not quite at home with girls, although in his heart he was very fond of them, declined to interfere.
"I gave Primrose Mainwaring some uncalled-for advice when she came to see me the other morning," he said.