,
shining expanse of sea. Janie stayed too, and sat abstractedly plucking
daisy-heads and pulling them to pieces, or crumbling little pieces of
mortar from the wall. For a long time neither spoke.

"I believe Miss Maitland was having a shot at me," said Honor at last;
"only, I don't understand exactly what she meant."

"I do," returned Janie. "She thinks that you're capable of very much
more than ordinary people."

"I can't imagine why!"

"Because it's in you. You've brains, and pluck, and 'go', and all kinds
of things that other folks haven't. You might do such a splendid amount
in the world some day!"

"I, my dear girl!" cried Honor in amazement. "Why, I'm sure I'm not up
to much!"

"You could be, if you tried."

"There are some things that aren't possible, however hard one tries. I
can no more be really and truly good than you could win the Atalanta
race at the sports!"

The colour flushed into Janie's thin cheeks. Her lack of physical
prowess was sometimes rather a sore subject to her. Though she did not
enjoy games, she would, nevertheless, have dearly liked the credit of
excelling in them. For a moment or two she did not reply. She was
considering hard, and making up her mind on a difficult point. When she
spoke, it was with a touch of diffidence and hesitation in her voice.

"Suppose I could win the 'Atalanta', would you think it possible to be
what Miss Maitland wants you?"

"Indeed, I'd think anything possible!" replied Honor, with more truth
than politeness.

"Then shall we make it a bargain--if I win the race, you're going to
try your very hardest?"

"Turn over a new leaf, in fact?"

"Yes."

"All right; I've no objection. I should like to see you flying round
the quad!"

"And I should like to see you doing other things! Will you promise,
then?"

"On my honour, if you want."

"Very well. Give me something as a pledge."

"You can have this small compass," said Honor, rummaging in her pocket.
"It's rather a treasure. Brian brought it me from Switzerland, and it's
made of agate."

"All the better, because you'll want to have it back. I'll give you my
silver fruit-knife, which I'm equally loath to part with. We must each
keep each other's token until after the sports."

"And then?"

"Ah! that remains to be seen," said Janie, as she rose and strolled
leisurely away.

All the Chaddites agreed that the visit to Baldurstone was one of the
most interesting excursions they had ever taken