XXI. Sweet Miss Lavendar

           SchoolopenedandAnnereturnedtoherwork,withfewertheoriesbutconsiderablymoreexperience.Shehadseveralnewpupils,six-andseven-year-oldsjustventuring,round-eyed,intoaworldofwonder.AmongthemwereDavyandDora.DavysatwithMiltyBoulter,whohadbeengoingtoschoolforayearandwasthereforequiteamanoftheworld.DorahadmadeacompactatSundaySchoolthepreviousSundaytositwithLilySloane;butLilySloanenotcomingthefirstday,shewastemporarilyassignedtoMirabelCotton,whowastenyearsoldandtherefore,inDora’seyes,oneofthe“biggirls.”

           “Ithinkschoolisgreatfun,”DavytoldMarillawhenhegothomethatnight.“YousaidI’dfindithardtositstillandIdid...youmostlydotellthetruth,Inotice...butyoucanwriggleyourlegsaboutunderthedeskandthathelpsalot.It’ssplendidtohavesomanyboystoplaywith.IsitwithMiltyBoulterandhe’sfine.He’slongerthanmebutI’mwider.It’snicertositinthebackseatsbutyoucan’tsittheretillyourlegsgrowlongenoughtotouchthefloor.MiltydrawedapictureofAnneonhisslateanditwasawfuluglyandItoldhimifhemadepicturesofAnnelikethatI’dlickhimatrecess.IthoughtfirstI’ddrawoneofhimandputhornsandatailonit,butIwasafraiditwouldhurthisfeelings,andAnnesaysyoushouldneverhurtanyone’sfeelings.Itseemsit’sdreadfultohaveyourfeelingshurt.It’sbettertoknockaboydownthanhurthisfeelingsifyouMUSTdosomething.