Free A Harum-Scarum Schoolgirl by Angela Brazil Page A

descended hand over hand with the agility of a middy. Wendy's bicycle was leaning against the wall at the bottom. She took it, and waved good-bye to Loveday, then walked along the side-path that led to the gate. A minute later she was free-wheeling down the hill that led through the village in the direction of Petteridge Court. Loveday, shaking her head, went back to bed.
    "I'm thankful I'm not a prefect, or I should have felt bound to stop her," she reflected. "If I'd had a brother or a cousin whom I hadn't seen for a year, and who was just off to the front, I declare I'd have done it myself. I don't blame her! But there'll be a row if Bunty doesn't hear her scales going."
    Exactly at a quarter to eight o'clock a Daimler car whisked through the village, and stopped by the gate of Pendlemere Abbey. A small figure hopped from it, and the chauffeur handed out a bicycle, then drove away at full speed. Girl and bicycle crept through the laurels to the side door, whence the former fled upstairs like a whirlwind. From the intermediates' room came the strains of the Beethoven sonata with which Loveday was at present wrestling. Diana, wrenching off coat and hat in her bedroom, paused to listen.
    "Bless her!" she muttered. "She's actually gone and taken my place! What an absolute trump she is!"
    It was not until morning school was over that the confederates had the slightest chance to compare notes.
    "Well, did you see him?" asked Loveday, when at last they met in their bedroom to brush their hair for dinner.
    Diana's eyes filled with tears.
    "Yes, and Cousin Cora said she was glad I came. She lost her own boy, you know--he went out with the American Red Cross, and was killed when a Zepp. bombed the hospital. That's two years ago now. I wouldn't have missed saying good-bye to Lenox for worlds. I'd quite a nice ride to Petteridge. It got light directly, and the hills looked beautiful in the dawn. Loveday, you did my practising for me!"
    "Not exactly
for
you! I took your half-hour, and you must take mine instead, from half-past four till tea-time."
    "Right-o! But did Bunty come in?"
    "Yes; and I told her I wanted to go out with Nesta this afternoon. So I do."
    "You don't think anybody suspects?"
    "Not a soul!"
    Diana came close, and laid a hand on her room-mate's arm.
    "Loveday, I'll never forget what you've done for me to-day--
never
! If I ever get the chance to do anything for you in return, you bet I'll do it, no matter
what
it costs me! You've been a real mascot. There isn't a girl in the school who'd have played up better, certainly not among the seniors. I do think you're just ripping! Did Bunty look
very
surprised to see you at the piano?"
    "She did, rather; but I asked her if Nesta and I might have an exeat this afternoon to go to the Vicarage. Mrs. Fleming gave us an open invitation, you know, to come and see her sketches."
    "What a brain! You really are too lovely!" chuckled Diana.
CHAPTER VII
    Land Girls
    With the bond of such a secret between them, Diana and Loveday cemented a firm friendship. To be sure, Loveday's conscience, which was of a very exacting and inquisitorial description, sometimes gave her unpleasant twinges like a species of moral toothache; but then the other self which also talked inside her would plead that it was only sporting to screen a schoolfellow, and that no one but a sneak could have done otherwise. She sincerely hoped that Diana had escaped notice both going and returning, and that no busybody from the village would bring a report to Miss Todd. If the matter were to leak out, both girls would get into serious trouble--Diana for running away, and her room-mate for aiding and abetting her escapade. That she was really in some danger on her account gave Loveday an added interest in Diana. She began to be very fond of her. The little American had a most lovable side for certain people, on whom she bestowed the warmth of her affection, though she could be a pixie to those who did not happen to please