Then, the holidays over, it was a little difficult to settle down again to work and study; the children, and probably the teachers also, found it so.  However that may have been, there was certainly more than usual friction in the working of the school machinery:  the teachers reproached the scholars with want of attention and lack of industry, and the latter grumbled to each other that the professor and Miss Diana snubbed them, and Mrs. Manton and the French teacher wasted neither patience nor politeness upon them.

Also those whose turn it was to take a music-lesson reported Signor Foresti as unbearable, testy, and fault-finding.

Fortunately Lulu was not of the number, but her respite was only for a day, and her heart sank as she thought of the danger of a collision between him and herself.

She thoroughly disliked him, but hitherto had been able to control herself and avoid any clashing of her temper with his; and it had not always been an easy thing for her to do, he having bestowed upon her many a sharp word which she felt to be altogether undeserved.

She gave herself great credit for her continued forbearance, and thought she could not reasonably be expected to exercise it much longer, yet knew that failure would entail dire consequences.

Evelyn knew all about it, and trembled for her friend.

“Oh, Lu,” she said, when they found themselves alone together at home on the evening of that first day after their return to school duties, “do let us make up our minds to bear and forbear to-morrow when we take our music-lessons, and not give Signor Foresti the pleasure of seeing that we care for his crossness.”

“Indeed,” cried Lulu, “I’ve put up with enough of it; and I’ll be apt to tell him so if he’s much worse than usual.”

“Oh, Lu, don’t!” entreated Evelyn; “you have borne so splendidly with him, and what a pity it would be to spoil it now by giving way to impatience!”

“Yes; but I can’t bear everything.  I’m only astonished at myself for having put up with so much.  I don’t believe I ever should if it hadn’t been for your help, Eva.”

“I’m very glad if I have been of any assistance to you, dear Lulu,” Evelyn answered, with a look of pleasure; “and oh, I should like to help you to go on as you have begun.”

“Well, if I don’t it will be his fault; it would take the patience of a saint to bear forever with his injustice and ill-temper.  I know I have a bad temper, but I’m sure his is a great deal worse.”

“I do really think it is, Lu; but other people having worse faults doesn’t make ours any better.  Besides, do you suppose he has had as good religious teaching as you and I?”

“No; of course not.  But I never thought of that before.  He’s a man, though, and a man ought to be expected to have better control of himself than a little girl.”

Evelyn and Lulu took their music-lessons on the same day of the week, Evelyn first, Lulu immediately after.