Leuchy was before I played my prank, and what she has been since. Now
I'm much afraid that all is up, and she 'll never love me any
more--poor Leuchy!'

'Hollyhock, you really have been exceedingly naughty, but your conduct
to Leucha _after_ her terrible fright has been _splendid_; and although
I greatly fear, knowing Leucha's character, that you will find it
difficult to get back her love, yet there are many others in the
school, my child, who love you, and who will love you for ever.'

'Yes; but it was Leuchy I wanted,' said Hollyhock. 'The others were so
easy to win. I could always win love; but Leuchy, she's so cold, and
now she's frozen up, like marble, she is.'

'You must take that as your punishment, for no other punishment will I
give you, except to ask you not to play that kind of practical joke
again.'

'Oh my!' exclaimed Hollyhock, 'but the mischief is in me. I dare not
make a promise. You would not, if you had a wild heart like mine.'

'Well, Hollyhock, I shall expect, for the honour of the school, that
you will do your _best_. And one thing I must ask of you--it is this.
Meg feels herself very superior, with the superiority of the Pharisee.
Most of the girls in the school will hate her for what she said to-day;
but I want you, as a dear friend, to take her part.'

'Oh, but that 'll be hard,' said Hollyhock.

'The divine grace can help you, my child. I 'm not one of the "unco
guid," but I believe most fully in the all-prevailing love of the great
God and His Son, our blessed Saviour. Now kiss me, and go to your
lessons as though nothing had happened.'

'But Leuchy!' exclaimed Hollyhock.

'I'll manage Leucha. I greatly fear that I shall have a difficult
task, but I shall let you know to-morrow at latest what attitude she
intends to take up. A girl of broader, nobler views would, of course,
see the joke and make fun of it; but Leucha, in her way, is as narrow
as Meg is in hers.'

'Oh dear, oh dear!' sighed Hollyhock. 'Well, at all events, I 'll get
rid of her kisses. Oh, they were _so_ trying!'

'I saw that you hated them, my child.'

'Did you notice that, Mrs Macintyre? How wonderful you are!'

'No, my dear baby. But I, who equally hate being kissed, saw what you
were enduring in a noble cause. It _may_ come right in the end,
Hollyhock. We must hope for the best.'

'Oh, but you are a darling!' said Hollyhock, flinging her arms round
the head-mistress's neck. 'Oh, but I love