of our dresses and tying
back our hair. Have you got yours, Kitty?"

"Yes," replied Kitty; "father sent me a quantity of cherry-colored
ribbons last week."

She hardly ever mentioned her father's name, and the girls did not like
to question her. Now she turned her head aside, and proceeded hastily
with her dressing.

"Well, it is going to be a splendid day," said Alice, "and, you know,
there are no lessons of any sort; all the examinations are over and the
results will be known to-night; the day is to be a long and happy
one--no lessons, nothing to do except to wander about and please
ourselves; pack our trunks, of course, which will be truly a delightful
occupation. Think of the joys of the evening and the further delights
of to-morrow. I expect to reach home about six o'clock in the evening.
When will you get to your place, Edith?"

"A little later than you," replied Edith, "for it is farther away, but
father and mother have promised to come and meet me at Canterbury. I
shall reach Canterbury about six o'clock in the evening. We have ten
miles to drive then, so I don't suppose I shall be home till half-past
seven. The boys are going to make a bonfire; there is to be no end of
fun--there always is when I come home for the summer holidays."

Kitty gave a faint sigh and there came a cruel pang at her heart. She
and Florence Aylmer were to spend the holidays together. She had tried
to think she would enjoy this solitary time, but in her heart of hearts
she knew that she had to make a great struggle with herself.

"But, never mind," she muttered now softly under her breath, "I shall
spend most of the hours in studying; there is so much to get through
before the Scholarship exam. comes off in October, and I know Florence
will study, too, and, of course, I shan't be at all jealous of her, and
if she does succeed in winning the prize, why, I will just remember
father's words and make the best of things, whatever happens." But the
next moment she was saying fiercely under her breath, "I shall win, I
will win; whatever happens, I will, I must win."

The girls went down to breakfast, which was a very sociable meal that
morning, the English tongue being allowed to be spoken, and the usual
restrictions all being utterly withdrawn.

Florence appeared then and took her place at the table; she looked a
little pale and untidy, and her eyes were red as if she had been
secretly crying. More than one girl glanced at