delightful plan, but--but before we read that part of your letter
Primrose thought of another plan of her own, and _it_ was so
exquisite, so perfect, that we tore up your plan for fear we should be
tempted by it. We don't know your plan, Mrs. Ellsworthy, and we don't
want it, for we have made our own, and ours is--yes, ours is lovely!"

Mrs. Ellsworthy had an expressive face, and while Jasmine was talking
it changed and grew anxious; her husband's words, "She is not our
Jasmine yet," returned to her. Like many rich and pretty women, she
was unaccustomed to opposition, and when it came it but whetted her
desire, and made her also feel irritable.

"It is rude to tear up the letters of kind friends," she said. "I made
a proposal which would have been in every way suitable to you girls,
and you did not even trouble yourselves to read it. No, my loves, I am
not angry. Daisy, come and give me a kiss; Jasmine, hold my hand. Now
shall I tell you the little plan which you would not read about last
night?"

"Oh, we would not be rude to you for the world," said Jasmine. "Daisy,
come here, and give Mrs. Ellsworthy one of your sweetest kisses. Of
course I will hold your hand--I love you, and so does Daisy, and so
does--"

"No, so does _not_ Primrose," answered Mrs. Ellsworthy. "Primrose is
the opposing element--still I trust I may conquer her. Now, my
children, may I tell the plan?"

"Oh yes, do tell us," they both answered; but Jasmine added, "It will
not be of the slightest use, for we have made our own."

"Well, dear, plans of girls as young as you are made to be altered.
Now listen to my scheme.

"Mr. Ellsworthy writes for the papers and for one or two magazines. He
has scientific tastes, and writing in this way gives interest to his
life; but his eyes are not very strong, and he has for some time been
wishing for some nice girl to whom he can dictate his thoughts. It
seems to him, and to me too, that Primrose is just the sort of girl he
wants, and if she will come and live with us at Shortlands, he will
pay her something for giving him a couple of her hours daily--thus,
you see, she will be earning her living and will be quite independent.
You and Daisy, Jasmine, are to come to us on a visit, until we can
find a school where, for your father's sake, your education may be
finished."

"You mean a school for the orphan daughters of army men," said
Jasmine, "I know. Well, thank you very much, but I'm afraid your plan
won