she said. “Thank you very much — thank you all so much — it is so — — ”

She stuttered to an end, and very red, turned the leaves of the books eagerly, pretending to be taking the first pleasure, but really seeing nothing.

Mr. Harby's eyes were twinkling. He alone was at his ease, master of the situation. It was pleasing to him to make Ursula the gift, and for once extend good feeling to his teachers. As a rule, it was so difficult, each one was so strained in resentment under his rule.

“Yes,” he said, “we hoped you would like the choice — — ”

He looked with his peculiar, challenging smile for a moment, then returned to his cupboards.