CHAPTER XVIII.
ELEANOR AND I ARE LATE FOR BREAKFAST--THE SCHOOL BREAKS UP--MADAME AND BRIDGET.
Eleanor and I overslept ourselves one morning.

We had been tired, and when we did get up we hurried through our dressing, looking forward to fines and a scolding to boot.
But as we crept down-stairs we saw both the Misses Mulberry and Madame conversing together on the second landing.

We felt that we were "caught," but to our surprise they took no notice of us; and as we went down the next flight we heard Miss Mulberry say, with a sigh, "Misfortunes never come alone." We soon learnt what the new misfortune was.

Poor Lucy had been taken ill.

The doctor had been to see her early that morning, and had pronounced it fever--"Probably scarlet fever; and he recommends the school being broken up at once, as the holidays would soon be here anyway." So one of the girls told us.
Presently Miss Mulberry made her appearance; and we sat down to breakfast.