n to reckon up the present
resources--drawings, bags, and pincushions. "That chip hat you plaited
for Daisy, Margaret, you must let us have that. It will be lovely,
trimmed with pink."

"Do you wish for this?" said Ethel, heaving up a mass of knitting.

"Thank you," said Flora; "so ornamental, especially the original
performance in the corner, which you would perpetrate, in spite of my
best efforts."

"I shall not be offended if you despise it. I only thought you might
have no more scruple in robbing Granny Hall than in robbing Daisy."

"Pray, send it. Papa will buy it as your unique performance."

"No; you shall tell me what I am to do."

"Does she mean it?" said Flora, turning to Margaret. "Have you converted
her? Well done! Then, Ethel, we will get some pretty batiste, and you
and Mary shall make some of those nice sun-bonnets, which you really do
to perfection."

"Thank you. That is a more respectable task than I expected. People may
have something worth buying," said Ethel, who, like all the world, felt
the influence of Flora's tact.

"I mean to study the useful," said Flora. "The Cleveland set will be
sure to deal in frippery, and I have been looking over Mrs. Hoxton's
stores, where I see quite enough for mere decoration. There are two
splendid vases in potichomanie, in an Etruscan pattern, which are coming
for me to finish."

"Mrs. Taylor, at Cocksmoor, could do that for you," said Ethel. "Her two
phials, stuffed with chintz patterns and flour, are quite as original
and tasteful."

"Silly work," said Flora, "but it makes a fair show."

"The essence of Vanity Fair," said Ethel.

"It won't do to be satirical over much," said Flora. "You won't get on
without humouring your neighbours' follies."

"I don't want to get on."

"But you want--or, at least, I want--Cocksmoor to get on."

Ethel saw Margaret looking distressed, and, recalling her resolution
she said, "Well, Flora, I don't mean to say any more about it. I see it
can't be helped, and you all think you intend it for good; so there's an
end of the matter, and I'll do anything for you in reason."

"Poor old King Ethel!" said Flora, smiling in an elder-sisterly
manner. "You will see, my dear, your views are very pretty, but very
impracticable, and it is a work-a-day world after all--even papa would
tell you so. When Cocksmoor school is built, then you may thank me. I do
not look for it before."

CHAPTER II.

Knowledge is seco