cruel to be kind. We can't afford--I am not mercenary, as
you know--but with our means we _can't_ afford to refuse any possible
advantage for our girls! The sacrifice of a summer holiday ought not to
weigh against that."

"No, you're right, quite right. So be it then. Write and tell her to
come, only I tell you plainly my holiday's spoiled... With Darsie
gone--"

"Dear! she has not chosen yet."

"Dear! you know perfectly well--"

They looked at each other, smiling, rueful, half-ashamed. It seemed
like treason to the other girls, this mutual acknowledgment that Darsie
was the flower of the flock, the child of the six to whom all strangers
were attracted as by a magnet. Clarence and Lavender were equally as
dear to the parents' hearts, but there was no denying the existence of a
special and individual pride in the fascinations of Darsie.

Mr Garnett turned aside with an impatient shrug.

"There's one thing, Emily, _you_ must tell her when it is settled!
There'll be a tremendous scene. I flatly refuse--"

"Very well, dear, very well; I'll do it. But it's not decided yet,
remember, and one can never be sure. I'd better break the idea to the
girls before Aunt Maria comes, and let them get over the first
excitement. To-night would be a good opportunity. You will be out
late, so would be spared the scene!"

"Bless you, Emily! I'm a coward, I know, but I _should_ be grateful. I
can't answer for what I should do if Darsie cried, and begged my
protection. Women have twice the pluck of men in these affairs!"

Nevertheless it was with a quaking heart that Mrs Garnett broached the
object of Aunt Maria's proposition over the schoolroom tea that
afternoon, and her nervousness was not decreased by the smilingly
unperturbed manner in which it was received. Never, never for a moment
did it appear possible to the three girls that such a proposition could
be seriously discussed.

"_So_ likely!" sneered Clemence with a fine disdain. "Give up all the
fun and excitement of the sea with the Vernons, to _browse_ with Aunt
Maria. _So_ likely, to be sure!"

"Poor dear old love! She _is_ deluded. Thinks it would be a pleasure
and benefit, does she. I wouldn't take a thousand pounds--"

Thus Lavender. Darsie went a step farther in tragic declamation.

"I'd drown myself first! To sit there--panting, in hot rooms, on
Benger's food, and know that all the others were bathing and running
wild on the shore--I'd burs