It would surely have been better to have placed her at an Italian school than among girls of her own nationality.

Lorna, naturally morbid and over-sensitive, shrank yet deeper into her shell, and became more sphinx-like than ever.

Her one bright spot at the Villa Camellia was her devotion to her buddy.

Half a dozen other girls had at various periods tried to "take Lorna up," but all had promptly dropped her, declaring that they could not get any further, and that she was a solitary "hermit-crab." Irene, after one or two ventures, realized that Lorna was utterly reserved and uncommunicative, but was content to continue the friendship on a one-sided basis, giving confidences, but receiving none in return.

She was a little laughed at in certain quarters on the subject of her chum.
"Hope you like crab sauce." "We're tickled to bits at the pair of you." "It won't last long." "Shall we give you an oyster-opener for a birthday present ?" "You've got the champion chestnut-bur of the school--aren't you full of prickles ?" "Go on!" smiled Irene calmly.