"Now, Phyllis, don't you make mischief," said Annie Millar. "You know perfectly well that you are cleverer than the whole lot of us put together, whether you like to acknowledge it or not."

"Not just at present, only I want to speak to mother."

"Oh, dear, how am I to endure that?"

The whole house was awakened, and the alarm given. The Professor was not yet in bed. He was very much worried and annoyed. He directly told Irene that he believed she was guilty of giving her little companion a fright.

"She has told me that part. Now I understand," said Lady Jane.

"And don't you love your own dear sister Emily?"

"Never mind," she said to Hughie.