But tell me.

Has the admirable Miss Pinwell granted you a holiday, or is it your birthday and you've come for a present, or what ?" "Neither the one nor the other, sir.

I--I rather think I've left school." "Left school! And without apprising me who am, you know, in a way sponsor for you?
But may be you've written the duchess ?" Lavinia shook her head and cast down her eyes.
"Left school," repeated Gay lifting his wig slightly and rubbing his temple.

"Surely--surely you haven't misbehaved and have been expelled.
Miss Pinwell I know is the perfection of prim propriety, but----" "Quite true, sir, so she is," burst out Lavinia impetuously, "and I've done nothing wicked--not really wicked--only silly, but I'm sure Miss Pinwell wouldn't take me back.

You see, sir, I--oh well, I suppose I must confess I ran away--I meant to return and nobody would have been the wiser--but things happened that I didn't expect and--and oh, I do hope you'll forgive me." Lavinia's pleading voice quivered.