Then you did not know that Sara has scarlatina ?' 'No, indeed; but I am very sorry to hear it.' 'Oh, she is nearly well now; but no one knows how she caught it.

There was a terrible fuss when Dr.Armstrong pronounced it scarlatina.

Mamma made father take lodgings at Brighton at once, and Fraeulein and I were packed off there at a minute's notice.

You can fancy what my life has been for the last ten days, mewed up in a dull, ugly parlour with that old cat.' 'My poor, dear Jill! But why did you not write to me, and I would have come over at once ?' 'So I did write, twice, and I do believe that horrid creature never posted my letters,--I daresay they are in her pocket now,--and I could not get out by myself until to-day.

Now just think, Ursula, what sort of a Christmas Day I was likely to have; and then you never came to me, and I got desperate; so when Fraeulein said she had one of her headaches,' and here Jill made a comical grimace, 'I just made up my mind to take French leave, and spend Christmas Day with you, and here I am; and scold me if you dare, and I will hug you to death.' And, indeed, Jill's powerful young arms were quite capable of fulfilling her threat.
'It is not for me to scold you,' I replied quietly; 'but I am afraid you will get into trouble for this piece of recklessness.