The first edition of this book is dated 1910. The edition used is dated 1910. The publisher was Cassell & Co, Ltd, London, New York, Toronto & Melbourne. The number of pages is 316.

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General information

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Contents

Chapter I.
The first part of the Christmas holidays had gone with a roar.

Chapter II.
Mr. and Mrs. Saxon welcomed their children on the threshold of their country home, but a chill seemed to settle on the young people’s spirits as they entered the great square hall, which looked so colourless and dreary.

Chapter III.
In the schoolroom the young people flocked together, eager to discuss the news apart from the restraint of their parents’ presence.

Chapter IV.
In the next week future plans were practically settled so far as the young people were concerned.

Chapter V.
Meantime in the schoolroom upstairs another blow had fallen, and Rowena was quivering beneath the shock of discovering that in Miss Bruce’s absence it was she and not Etheldreda who was expected to carry on Maud’s education.

Chapter VI.
“What’s ‘rejuiced’?” queried Maud, squeezing herself into the central place on the big fender, as her brothers and sisters sat roasting chestnuts by the schoolroom fire one wet afternoon a few days later, and the question being received by a blank stare of bewilderment she repeated the word with intensified emphasis.

Chapter VII.
During the next three weeks the Saxons settled slowly into the routine of life as it would in future be spent at the Manor.

Chapter VIII.
For a moment the six girls retained their former positions, staring with blank, expressionless faces at the new comer.

Chapter IX.
At twelve o’clock work was laid aside and Miss Drake accompanied the girls for an hour’s constitutional.

Chapter X.
West End School was conducted on lines differing somewhat both from those of the modern public school and the old polite finishing seminary for young ladies.

Chapter XI.
To the delight of Dreda, and the more subdued satisfaction of the other pupils, a magazine received the sanction of the headmistress and Miss Drake, provided that it did not aim at more than a quarterly appearance.

Chapter XII.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy—and Jill a dull girl also.

Chapter XIII.
The energy with which Etheldreda the Ready set about her work as sub-editor threatened to ruin the magazine before its birth, for intending contributors grew so tired of daily and sometimes hourly reminders that by the end of a week weariness had developed into right-down crossness and irritation.

Chapter XIV.
The synopsis had disappeared! Incredible though it seemed, it was but too true.

Chapter XV.
It was a very subdued, a very humble, a touchingly affectionate Etheldreda who made her appearance at The Meads a few days later, and her mother and sisters regarded her demeanour with anxious curiosity.

Chapter XVI.
It was an awkward moment for all three occupants of the room.

Chapter XVII.
Six months had passed by. The elder pupils at Horsham had gone tremblingly through the ordeal of the Oxford senior examination in July, and Mary, having achieved distinction in three separate subjects, was now busy preparing for the mathematical group of the Cambridge higher local examination in December.

Chapter XVIII.
For the next few days conversation circled incessantly round the subject of the forthcoming literary competition, concerning which there were naturally many diverging opinions.

Chapter XIX.
After a week’s circulation in the school, the twelve typed essays upon “My life, and what I hope to do with it,” were packed up and sent to Mr. Rawdon for judgment, and Miss Drake begged her pupils to dismiss the subject from their minds as far as possible.

Chapter XX.
Mr. Rawdon deliberately fastened his eye glasses on his nose, and looked down at the slip of paper.

Chapter XXI.
A blank silence followed Dreda’s announcement. Dismay, disappointment, and distress seemed printed on every face.

Chapter XXII.
Home again, and home with quite a festival air about it in honour of your return.

Chapter XXIII.
The first three hours of the hunt passed somewhat slowly as the hounds sought in vain for a scent, or “found,” only to be rewarded by a short, illusive chase.

Chapter XXIV.
Rowena and Guy Seton gave themselves up to the pleasures of the hunt, blissfully forgetful of the young brothers and sisters who were following on wheels; and, indeed, of everything and everyone but just their own two selves.

Chapter XXV.
The alarm was given at the nearest farm, and the two girls conveyed with all speed to The Meads, where a doctor was at once summoned to their aid.

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