ate
you."

Annie was silent.

"You do hate them, don't you?" persisted Miss Drummond.

"It's nothing to you what I feel toward them, Susy," said Annie. "Please
don't disturb me with any more of your chatter; I am very sleepy, and you
are keeping me awake."

Thus silenced, Susan had to content herself by turning on her back, and
going into the land of dreams; but she was evidently a good deal
surprised and disappointed, and began to entertain a certain respect, and
even fear, of Annie which had been hitherto unknown to her.

Meanwhile Hester was very busy, very happy, and more satisfied--brighter
and better employed than she had ever been in her life before. Nan's love
satisfied the affectionate side of her nature, and all her intellect was
strained to the utmost to win honors in the coming struggle.

She had stuck firmly to her resolve to work for the English composition
prize, and she firmly made up her own mind to leave no stone unturned to
win it. What affection she possessed for Miss Russell was not at all of a
character to prevent her from thoroughly enjoying taking the prize out of
her hands. Her love for Dora had been fed by vanity, and was not at all
of a deep or noble character. She was some time carefully choosing the
subject of her theme, and at last she resolved to write a brief
historical description of the last days of Marie Antoinette. To write
properly on this subject she had to read up a great deal, and had to find
references in books which were not usually allowed as school-room
property. Mrs. Willis, however, always allowed the girls who were working
for the English composition prize to have access to her rather extensive
library, and here Hester was often to be found during play-hours. Two
evenings in the week were also taken up in preparation for the coming
plays, and as Hester was to take rather an important part in one, and a
small character in another, she was obliged to devote herself to getting
up her parts during the weekly half-holidays. Thus every moment was busy,
and, except at night, she had little time to devote herself to Nan.

Nan slept in a pretty crib in Hester's room, and each evening the young
girl knelt down by her sister's side, and gazed at her with love, which
was almost motherly, swelling in her breast.

All that was best of Hester was drawn out at these moments; something
greater than ambition--something far and away above school triumphs and
school jealousies spoke t