Of course there would have been no question of their going to the exhibition if Father had not had the tickets given to him. Little girls cannot expect to be given treats that cost extra money when only to feed them, buy them clothes, pay for their lessons and the house they live in takes their kind generous Father all day and every day working hard from morning till night—" except Saturday afternoons and Sundays," said Susannah.

" Susannah ! " Mother was very shocked. " But do you know what would happen to your poor Father if he didn't have a holiday on Saturday afternoons and Sundays ? "

" No," said Susannah. She looked interested. " What ? "

" He would die," said their mother impressively.

" Would he ? " said Susannah, opening her eyes. She seemed astounded, and Sylvia and Phyllis, who were four and five years older than she, chimed in with, " Of course," in a very page 168 superior tone. What a little silly-billy she was not to know that! They sounded so convinced and cheerful that their mother felt a little shaken and hastened to change the subject. . .

" So that is why," she said a little vaguely, " you must each thank Father separately before you go."

" And then will he give us the money ? " asked Phyllis.

" And then I shall ask him for whatever is necessary," said their mother firmly. She sighed suddenly and got up. " Run along, children and ask Miss Wade to dress you and get ready herself and then to come down to the dining-room. And now, Susannah, you are not to let go Miss Wade's hand from the moment you are through the gates until you are out again.

" Well—what if I go on a horse ? " inquired Susannah.

" Go on a horse—nonsense, child ! You're much too young for horses! Only big girls and boys can ride."

" There're roosters for small children," said Susannah undaunted. " I know, because Irene Heywood went on one and when she got off she fell over."

" All the more reason why you shouldn't go on," said her mother.

But Susannah looked as though falling over had no terrors for her. On the contrary.

page 169

About the exhibition, however, Sylvia and Phyllis knew as little as Susannah. It was the first that had ever come to their town. One morning, as Miss Wade, their lady help, rushed them along to the Heywoods', whose governess they shared, they had seen carts piled with great long planks of wood, sacks, what looked like whole doors, and white nagstaffs, passing through the wide gate of the Recreation Ground. And by the time they were bowled home to their dinners, there were the beginnings of a high thin fence, dotted with flag-staffs, built all round the railings. From inside came a tremendous noise of hammering, shouting, clanging; a little engine, hidden away, went Chuff-chuff-chuff. Chuff! And round, woolly balls of smoke were tossed over the palings.

First it was the day after the day after tomorrow, then plain day after to-morrow, then to-morrow, and at last, the day itself. When Susannah woke up in the morning, there was a little gold spot of sunlight watching her from the wall; it looked as though it had been there for a long time, waiting to remind her : " It's to-day—you're going to-day—this afternoon. Here she is! "