t es before. Its pink eyes ained its clean urally clean fur, for it  escaped from a bat still smelt faintly of lavender er.

    A tall, curiously pale young ood over t. -black ly over her face.

    So ion navy blazer. t, coupled , stockings and sensible sified e under t cro.

    t ionably, dead. Sabriel looked up from it and back along t left to an imposing pair of e, in gilt letters of mock Got tes to yverley College. Smaller letters added t tablisy.”

    A small figure e, nimbly avoiding t o stop sucivities. S fe and started running, ails flying, so gain momentum, but as cruising speed ablis, and screamed.

    “Bunny!”

    Sabriel flincated for a moment, t do’s side and reac o touc bets long ears.  as if surned to stone. A faint ed lips, like t formed on ips and rimed t beneat and knees.

    tip for, and topple to at t minute  and s er, so restrain t—a rabbit nos eyes brigo be off as s bath.

    “Bunny!” sood up,  by ts neck. “O . . .”

    Sered as Sabriel  over and blood stained ant hands.

    “h,” Sabriel replied wearily.

    “A scratc’s already closed up.”

    Jacint Sabriel, t the back of her eyes.

    “t anytammered Jacint did you . . .”

    “I didn’t,” snapped Sabriel. “But perell me  of bounds?”

    “Ced to a more normal situation.

    “You see . . .”

    “No excuses,” recited Sabriel. “Remember  Assembly on Monday.”

    “It’s not an excuse,” insisted Jacint’s a reason.”

    “You can explain it to Mrs. Umbr