The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor [antikvár]

CHAPTER I ARABELLA COMES TO STAY It was in the middle of the Christmas holidays that Mother sprang a surprise on Elizabeth. Christmas was over, and Elizabeth had been to the pantomimé and the circus, and to three parties. Now she was beginning to look forward to going back to boarding-school again. It was dull being an only child, now that she had got used to living with so many girls and boys at Whyteleafe School. She missed their laughter and their chatter, the fun and games they had together. "Mother, I love being at home —but I do miss Kathleen and Belinda and Nora and Harry and John and Richárd," she said. "Joan has been over here to see me once or twice, but she's got a cousin staying with her now, and I don't expect I'll see her any more these hols." Then Mother gave Elizabeth a surprise. "Well," she said, "I knew you would be lonely-so I have arranged for someone to come and keep you company for the last two weeks of these holidays, Elizabeth." "Mother! Who?" cried Elizabeth. "Somebody I know?" "No," said Mother. "It is a girl who is to go to Whyteleafe School next term — a girl called Arabella Buckley. I am sure you will like her." "Teli me about her," said Elizabeth, still very surprised. "Why didn't you teli me this before, Mother?" "Well, it has been decided in a hurry," said Mother. "You know Mrs. Peters, don't you? She has a sister who has to go to America, and she does not want to take Arabella with her. So she wanted to put the child into a