Bertha was bright , pretty and popular , the favourite of her classmates and teachers ; Grace was a grave , quiet girl , dressed in mourning . She was quite alone in the world , the aunt who had brought her up having recently died . At first she had felt shy with bright and brilliant Bertha ; but they soon became friends , and the year that followed was a very pleasant one . It was almost ended now , for the terminal exams had begun , and in a week 's time the school would close for the holidays . `` Have some chocolates , Grace , '' said Bertha gaily . `` I got such good news in my letter tonight that I felt I must celebrate it fittingly . So I went into Carter 's and invested all my spare cash in caramels . It 's really fortunate the term is almost out , for I 'm nearly bankrupt . I have just enough left to furnish a ` tuck-out ' for commencement night , and no more . '' `` What is your good news , may I ask ? '' said Grace . `` You know I have an Aunt Margaret -- commonly called Aunt Meg -- out at Riversdale , do n't you ? There never was such a dear , sweet , jolly aunty in the world . I had a letter from her tonight . Listen , I 'll read you what she says . '' I want you to spend your holidays with me , my dear . Mary Fairweather and Louise Fyshe and Lily Dennis are coming , too . So there is just room for one more , and that one must be yourself . Come to Riversdale when school closes , and I 'll feed you on strawberries and cream and pound cake and doughnuts and mince pies , and all the delicious , indigestible things that school girls love and careful mothers condemn . Mary and Lou and Lil are girls after your own heart , I know , and you shall all do just as you like , and we 'll have picnics and parties and merry doings galore .
`` There , '' said Bertha , looking up XXXXX a laugh .
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