speak lightly. "They are all going in
procession with flags and banners."

"Flags _and_ banners, Hazel?" exclaimed Mrs Thorne, with a horrified
look.

"Yes, dear. Mr Burge wants to give the children a great treat, and
there is to be a brass band that he has engaged on purpose. I have just
had a note from Miss Burge. She says her brother wished to keep it a
secret to the last."

"But not a regular brass band, Hazel?"

"Yes, dear. It will be at the head of the procession, and the children
are to be marched all round the town."

"But not a brass band with a big drum, my dear? Surely not. Don't say
with a big drum?"

"Really, mother, dear, I don't know," replied Hazel, bending down and
kissing her. "I suppose so."

"Thank Heaven, that my poor husband was spared all this!"

"Oh, hush, dear," whispered Hazel piteously.

"But you will not stoop to walk round the town with them, Hazel? And
surely you are never going to put that ridiculous bunch of cowslips in
your dress?"

"Mother, dear," said Hazel quietly, "I am the mistress of the girls'
school, and it is my duty to walk with them. I am going to wear the
bunch of spring flowers, for they were brought for me by the girls, who
will all wear a bunch like it. Here is a bouquet, though, that Mr
Burge has sent for the mistress out of his greenhouse. I suppose I must
carry that in my hand."

"Oh, my poor girl! my poor girl!"

"Now, mother, dear mother, do not be so foolish," said Hazel. "Why
should I be ashamed to walk with my girls? Are we not living an
honourable and independent life, and is it not ten thousand times better
than eating the bread of charity?"

"Ah me! ah me!" sighed Mrs Thorne.

"Now, dear, you will dress and come up to the treaty and I will see that
you are comfortable."

"I come? No, no, no!"

"Yes, dear, Mr Burge begs that you will. Come, girls."

This was called up the stairs to her little sisters, who came running
down, dressed in white with blue sashes for the first time since their
father's death.

"What does this mean?" exclaimed Mrs Thorne.

"They are coming with me, dear, each carrying a great bouquet."

"Never! I forbid it!" cried the poor woman.

"It was Mr Burge's particular request," said Hazel gently; "and, mother
dear, you will nearly break their hearts if you forbid them now."

"There, there, there," sobbed Mrs Thorne; "it's time I died and was
taken out of your way. I'm only a nuisance and a burden