Peter was the first to break the pause that had settled with a kind of gloom on the old London schoolroom. He was always on the alert to resent anything that cast a shadow over the light gaiety of existence.

'I say, look here, ' he began, giving himself a shake as if to get rid of an unpleasant impression; 'don't be so jolly blue, all of you! Father will only be away six months; he said so himself. And as for Auntie Anna, how do we know she isn't quite a decent old lady? Some old ladies are awfully sporting. Do you remember Merton major's aunt, Will? She used to give him whopping tips, whenever she came to see him; and he said he quite liked her!'