a gentleman of him. But, mother, he is
a nice boy--he is, really."

"He is quite a plain boy," said Lady Jane--"very different from his
little sister--a little rough, I call him."

"But he is quite nice, all the same. Anyhow, mother, I wish it--I want
him to be made a gentleman. I want him to be sufficiently educated, and
I want us to help Miss Frost. We needn't take all the burden off her
shoulders, for I know you pay her very well indeed; but I want him to be
left at school until he is old enough to take up some profession. I
don't know what he would like. I'll run and ask him now; may I?"

"But, first of all, let me consider. Why should I have this on me? I
have--although you never seem to remember it, you naughty little
Irene--a great many expenses."

"Yes, but you are rich, and I am your only child. I want Hughie, just
because he is Agnes's brother, to be a gentleman. Agnes's brother can't
be a counter-jumper, can he, mothery?"

"What a horrid expression! Where did you learn it, Irene?"

"Oh, I picked it up from one of the servants; her cousin was a
counter-jumper. She always made me laugh when she spoke about it. She
described how he doled out yards of ribbon, and she said that his
figure was all gone to nothing, but he was very genteel-looking. I used
to make her tell me about him, because I used to frighten her with
spiders and wasps if she didn't. But I don't do that sort of thing now.
I'll take to it again, though, if you don't do what I wish."

"Then I am sure I will do what you wish, although I am rather puzzled."

"Well, we'll settle it, and at once," said Irene.

She ran out of the room and met Miss Frost, who was crossing the hall.

"Frosty," said the little girl, going up to her governess, "I want to
ask you a question. How much money do you pay a year for Hughie's
schooling?"

Miss Frost turned painfully red.

"That is scarcely your affair, is it, Irene?" she said.

"I am not naughty, really; I want to know for a most serious, important
reason. Do you pay much, or do you pay little?"

"I pay what is really very little. I pay fifty pounds a year. It is not
a good school, but it is the best I can afford. It is a commercial
school. I trust to get Hughie a place in a shop when he is sixteen--that
is, in two years' time. I think I can manage his school for the
present."

"Thank you, Miss Frost. That is all I need."

Irene then went out, and whistling in a boyish fashion, presently
brough