think of my friends? You are my friend, you know."

"Oh no," said Ruth.

"But what is it? What is the matter?"

"I--I can't."

"You can. It will be madness to refuse. Think what a chance is offered
you. If you get Miss Renshaw's instruction you are safe to get that
scholarship; and it is for three years, Ruth. It would send you, with a
little help from your grandfather, perhaps to Holloway College, perhaps
to Somerville or Newnham, or even Girton. Perhaps you could try for a
scholarship in one of these great colleges afterwards. You daren't
refuse it. It means--oh, it means all the difference in your whole
life."

"I know," said Ruth. "Cassandra, I will write to you. I can't decide
just now. I am awfully obliged to you; I can't express what I feel. You
are good; you are very, very good."

Ruth caught one of Cassandra's hands and raised it to her lips.

"You are very good," she said again.

Meanwhile Kathleen O'Hara, after walking a very short way with Susy
Hopkins, gave her an abrupt good-bye and started running in the
direction of the Tennants' house. She did not care a bit for Susy; but
being a member of the Wild Irish Girls, and not only a member, but one
of the Cabinet, she must on all occasions be kind to her. Nevertheless a
commonplace little girl like Susy Hopkins had not one thing in common
with Kathleen.

"Everything is going splendidly," she said to herself. "No fear now that
I shall not have plenty of excitement in the coming by-and-by. I mean to
write to father and ask him whether I may not invite some of the members
of the Cabinet to Carrigrohane. Wouldn't they enjoy it? Kate Rourke, of
course, must come; and dear little Ruth Craven. How pale and sweet Ruth
looked to-day! She is far and away the nicest girl in the school. I am
so glad I have taken steps to prevent that horrid friendship with
Cassandra coming to anything! Ruth mustn't love anybody in the school
very, _very_ much except me. Oh, things are going well, and Alice little
guesses what she is driving me to by her extraordinary behavior."

Kathleen entered the house, banging the door loudly after her, as was
her fashion.

Another little girl had also reached home, but she did not bang the
door. She entered her mother's shop to encounter the flushed and
much-perturbed face of her parent.

"Well, Susy," said Mrs. Hopkins, "I wouldn't have thought it of you."

"Why, what is it, mother?"

"There's nineteen-and-sixpence taken out of th