But the moment soon came, and with a peck at Kitty's cheek, and a last request that she would make the most of the excellent opportunities for improvement now opening out before her, and a desire that she would _try_ to be a good girl.

Aunt Pike left her, and Kitty gazed after her with eyes aching with the tears she would not shed.
She pictured her journeying home to Gorlay, saw her driving up through the street, drawing up before the old house, the door opening and the light streaming out, and Betty and Tony--and then the tears came, whether she would or no, and drowned every thought and sight and sound but that of her own misery.
No.

127 Laburnum Road was under the joint partnership of two ladies, Miss Pidsley and Miss Hammond.

Miss Pidsley was the chief partner, and took the lead.

She interviewed the parents, managed the house, the meals, and almost everything, while Miss Hammond's duties lay more especially with the girls, their lessons and games.
Before ever Kitty went to the school she had decided that she could not like Miss Pidsley.