ines to every inmate of
the house he might be allowed to include Miss Carthew. Nurse was
agreeable to the notion of receiving a token, and in her company Michael
set out to a neighbouring stationer's shop to make his purchases. A
Valentine for Cook was bought, and one of precisely the same design for
Gladys the withered housemaid, and a rather better one for Stella, and a
better one still for Nurse.

"Come along now," said Nanny.

"Oh, but can't I get one for Miss Carthew? Do let me."

"Tut-tut-tut. What nonsense. I do declare. Whatever do you want to give
her a Valentine for?" Nurse demanded, as she tried to hustle Michael
from the shop.

"Oh, do let me, Nanny."

"Well, come along, and don't be all day choosing. Here, this will do,"
said Nurse, as she picked one from the penny tray.

But Michael had other ideas. He had noticed an exquisite Valentine of
apple-green satin painted with the rosiest of Cupids, the most crimson
of pierced hearts, a Valentine that was almost a sachet so thick was it,
so daintily fringed with fretted silver-paper.

"That one," he declared, pointing.

"Now what have I told you about pointing?"

"That large one's a shilling," said the stationer.

"Come along, come along," grumbled Nurse. "Wasting good money."

"But I want to have that one," said Michael.

For the first time in his life he did not feel at all afraid of Nurse,
so absolutely determined was he to present Miss Carthew with the
Valentine of his own free choice.

"I will have that one," he added. "It's my money."

"You will, will you, you naughty boy? You won't, then. So now! You dare
defy me. I never heard of such a thing. No, nothing more this morning,
thank you," Nurse added, turning to the stationer. "The little boy has
got all he wants. Say 'thank you' to the gentleman and 'good morning,'"
Nurse commanded Michael.

"I won't," he declared. "I won't." Scowling so that his nose nearly
vanished into his forehead, and beating back the tears that were surging
to his eyes, Michael followed Nurse from the shop. As he walked home, he
dug his nails wrathfully into the envelope of Valentines, and then
suddenly he saw a drain in the gutter. He hastily stooped and pushed the
packet between the bars of the grating, and let it fall beyond the
chance of recovery. When they reached their house, Nurse told him to
give her the cards, so that they might not be soiled before
presentation.

"I've dropped them," said Michael sullenl