“Katy and I have got No. 2 this term.  It’s a good deal pleasanter than our old room, and the entry-stove is just outside the door, so we shall keep warm.  There is sun, too, only Mrs. Nipson has nailed thick cotton over all the window except a little place at top.  Every window in the house is just so.  You can’t think how mad the girls are about it.  The first night we had an indignation meeting, and passed resolutions, and some of the girls said they wouldn’t stay,—­ they should write to their fathers to come and take them home.  None of them did, though.  It’s perfectly forlorn, not being able to look out.  Oh, dear, how I wish it were spring!

“We’ve got a new dining-room.  It’s a great deal bigger than the old one, so now we all eat together, and don’t have any first and second tables.  It’s ever so much nicer, for I used to get so dreadfully hungry waiting that I didn’t know what to do.  One thing is horrid, though, and that is, that every girl has to make a remark in French every day at dinner.  The remarks are about a subject.  Mrs. Nipson gives out the subjects.  To-day the subject was ‘Les oiseaux,’ and Rose Red said, ’J’aime beaucoup les oiseaux, et surtout ceux qui sont rotis,’ which made us all laugh.  That ridiculous little Bella Arkwright said, ‘J’aime beaucoup les oiseaux qui sing.’  She thought sing was French!  Every girl in school began, ’J’aime beaucoup les oiseaux’!  To-morrow the subject is ‘Jules Cesar.’  I’m sure I don’t know what to say.  There isn’t a word in Ollendorf about him.

“There aren’t so many new scholars this term as there were last.  The girls think it is because Mrs. Nipson isn’t so popular as Mrs. Florence used to be.  Two or three of the new ones look pleasant, but I don’t know them yet.  Louisa Agnew is the nicest girl here next to Rose.  Lilly Page says she is vulgar, because her father paints portraits and they don’t know the same people that Cousin Olivia know, but she isn’t a bit.  We went to spend the day there just before we left Ashburn, and her father and mother are splendid.  Their house is just full of all sorts of queer, interesting things, and pictures; and Mr. Agnew told us ever so many stories about painters, and what they did.  One was about a boy who used to make figures of lions in butter, and afterward he became famous.  I forget his name.  We had a lovely time.  I wish you could see Lou’s little sister Daisy.  She’s only two, and a perfect little beauty.  She has got ten teeth, and hardly ever cries.

“Please ask papa”—­

Just as Clover had got to this point she was interrupted by Katy, who walked in with her hat on, and a whole handful of letters.

“See here!” she cried.  “Isn’t this delightful?  Miss Marsh took me with her to the Post-Office, and we found these.  Three for you and two for me, and one for rose.  Wait a minute till I give Rose hers, and we’ll read them together.”

In another moment the two were cosily seated with their heads close together, opening their budget.  First came one from papa.