It was Madge Summers who asked the question, seated on the right-hand corner of Maisie Talbot's bed, munching caramels. It was a very small bed, but at that moment it managed to accommodate no less than seven of Maisie's most particular friends, who were closely watching the progress of her unpacking, and discussing the latest school news, interspersed with remarks on her belongings. Maisie extricated herself from the depths of her box, and handed a pile of stockings to Lettice, her younger sister. 'What's the use of asking me?' she replied. 'Our cab only drove up half an hour ago. I feel almost new myself yet'.
