20 March

Uncle Jack gone just for today and part of tomorrow. Weather entirely charming today, so we held lessons out-of-doors, and Dr. Chasuble came by to take Miss Prism for a walk to "keep fresh her complexion." Little Francine kept me company, and we were having such fun behaving like sisters until she told me in confidence to whom the snake belongs. She says it was *Peter*(!) and that all the Marys saw it too and that's why they are no longer here. What a wicked, wicked girl she is! I will nevermore believe her lies. I took to my bed at once.