do than try to earn it?"

"But not at your age, dear! You are too young yet awhile!" Mrs
Wallace crossed the room and seating herself in a chair by Pixie's side,
laid a hand on her shoulder with quite affectionate pressure. "I
appreciate your kindly intention, but I am afraid it will be a good many
years before you are ready to take a governess's place. You saw
yourself what a difference there was between yourself and the other
ladies who came to see me to-day!"

"I'm more amusing! Ye wouldn't believe how amusing I can be when I try!
At school there was a prize which was given to the girl who was nicest
to the other girls, and they all voted for me, and I've got it now and
could bring it to show you if you liked. I'm not exactly clever, and
there was no chance for anyone else at the bottom of the class, but you
didn't say a word about teaching, except French, and I could talk that
all day long!"

"Yes! I should be quite satisfied if my girlies spoke as well as you
do. Your accent is charming, and you have just the air, but--but you
are so young--so ridiculously young!"

"So are the children. They'd like me best!" maintained Pixie sturdily,
and at that Mr Wallace burst into a laugh. His eyes had been twinkling
for some time past, and he had been stroking his moustache as if to
conceal his amusement, but now he made no more disguise, but laughed and
laughed again, as if he were thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Upon my word, Edith, I believe she is right! If you consider the
children's feelings, there is no doubt how they would decide. If you
want them kept happy and bright, now's your chance! After our earlier
experiences this is really quite refreshing, and I am beginning to think
your advertisement has been of some use after all. How would it be if
you interviewed Miss Bridgie--I didn't catch the second name--and if she
is agreeable, you might perhaps make some temporary arrangement!"

"O'Shaughnessy. It's Irish! I'm sure Bridgie would say yes, for it
would be occupation for me in the mornings, and so near that I could
come by myself. We live in Rutland Road, but the house is so small ye
would hardly notice it if you passed by. Jack says if he could get
London rents in Ireland, he'd never do another honest day's work while
he lived. You could put the whole place down in the hall at Knock
Castle, and never know it was there, and Bridgie says she knows every
blade of grass in the garden. We had the