nd Florence thought it
the dearest, sweetest, most fascinating place in the world.

"It is rather a small bed for two," she reflected, as she entered the
room, stooping to get beneath the lintel of the door; "but never mind,
it's Mummy's little room and Mummy's bed, and I am happy, happy as the
day is long."

So she tossed off her hat and washed her face and hands, and tidied her
hair, and went down to enjoy the honey and bread and fruit and shrimps
and tea with cream in it which Mrs. Aylmer had provided in honor of her
daughter's arrival.

"There," said Florence, "that was a hearty meal. Now let us go out on
the beach, Mummy. You will have a great deal to say to me, and I shall
have a great deal to say to you."

"It is exciting having you back, Flo," said Mrs. Aylmer, "and we must
make the week go as far as possible."

"We will sit up very late at night," said Florence, "and we will get up
very early in the morning, for we must talk, talk, talk every moment of
our precious time, except just the few hours necessary for sleep. You
don't want much sleep, do you, Mummy?"

"Yes, but I do, my dear; I want my seven to eight hours' sleep within
the twenty-four hours, or I am just good for nothing. I get muzzy in
the head unless I sleep enough. Do you ever suffer from muzziness in
the head, dear?"

"That's just like one of your dear old-fashioned words," said Florence;
"if I did feel it I shouldn't be allowed to express it in that way at
school. By the way, mother, what do you think of me? Haven't I grown
a good lot?"

"Yes, you're a fine hearty girl, but you are not exactly beautiful,
Florry."

Florence's eyes fell and a discontented look crossed her face. "How
can I look decent in these clothes?" she said; "but there, never mind,
you can't give me better, can you?"

"I, darling! How could I? I have not fifty pounds a year when all is
told, and I cannot do more with my money. It's your Aunt Susan who is
to blame, Florence, and she is worse than ever. I'll tell you all
about her to-morrow; we won't worry to-night, will we?"

"No; let us think of only pleasant things to-night," said Florence.

"Well, come down on the beach, Flo. I am all agog to hear your news.
What is this about the Scholarship?"

"Oh, Mummy, need we talk of this either to-night?" said Florence,
frowning.

"Well, yes, I should like it," said Mrs. Aylmer; "you see, you know all
about it, and I don't. You told me so little in your