CHAPTER XXI.
'I RAN AWAY, THEN!' 'Now, Jill,' I demanded, at last, taking her by the shoulders, 'I insist on knowing what this means.' And when I spoke in that tone Jill always obeyed me at once.
So she shook her untidy mane, and looked at me with eyes that were brimful of fun and naughtiness.
'Very well, Ursie dear, if you will know, you shall; but first sit down in that cosy-looking chair, and I will put my elbows in your lap, in the dear old fashion, and then we can talk nicely.

What a snug little room this is! it looked just delicious when I came in, and Mrs.Barton made me such a nice cup of tea, and then I went upstairs to look at your bedroom, and there was a beautiful fire there, and Mrs.Barton says you always have one: so you are not so poor and miserable, after all.' 'I am not at all poor, thank you; and I work so hard that I think I deserve to be warm and comfortable.

And when people live alone, a fire is a nice, cheerful companion.

But this is not answering my question, Jocelyn.' Now Jill hated me to call her Jocelyn, so she made a face at me, and said, in rather a grumpy voice, 'Well, I ran away, then!' 'Ran away from Hyde Park Gate! Were you mad, Jill ?' 'Oh dear, no,--not from Hyde Park Gate.

Did you not get my letter?
Oh, I remember, I forgot to post it: it is in my blotting-case now.