still tired with yesterday.'

'And you think Aunt Alison will let me go?' said Frances.

'Oh yes, I'm sure she will. If you will get on with your lessons now,
Frances, so as to be able to say at dinner that you have quite finished,
I will go down-stairs and watch for Aunt Alison. She will be in by one,
to-day, and I'll ask her for you.'

'Oh thank you, Jass,' said Frances gratefully. 'Yes, I'll hurry up.
But--Jass'----

'Well?'

Francie's face grew very grave.

'It's about my things, Jass. What do you think I should wear? I'm so
afraid Aunt Alison will be vexed if I put on my best things--and of
course black frocks do get spoilt if one runs about much--and yet my
every-day frock is so shabby now, and--I don't want the girls to think
we're never properly dressed.'

Jacinth considered. They were still in deep mourning, for Miss Mildmay's
ideas on such subjects were 'old-fashioned,' and she quite recognised
that the late Mrs Denison's memory should be treated with the fullest
respect. But Jacinth sympathised with Frances's feelings.

'I was looking at our dark-gray frocks with Phebe the other day,' she
said. 'The ones we had new just before--before our mourning. You know
they were got for half-mourning because of old Sir George
Mildmay's--papa's uncle's--death, and they look quite fresh and nice. I
don't think you've grown much, Francie--and oh, by-the-bye, I believe
there's a tuck that could be let down.'

'Yes,' said Frances, 'there are little tucks--a lot--above the hem.'

'Then I'll run up and tell Phebe to get them out, yours at least. I'll
explain to Aunt Alison; and if I lend you my wide black sash, I'm sure
it will look quite mourning enough.'

'Oh Jass,' exclaimed Frances, '_how_ good of you!'

The honour and glory of Jacinth's best black sash was almost too much
for her.

'Really, I should never be cross to Jass. She is so very, very kind and
unselfish,' thought the grateful little girl.

The gray frock was looked out and soon got ready. It was lying on a
chair in the girls' room when Jacinth, a little before half-past one, at
last heard her aunt's step in the hall, and ran forward to meet her,
primed with her request.

Miss Mildmay was still in a somewhat conciliatory mood, and she listened
to Jacinth's story with as much kindliness as was in her nature to show.

'Yes,' she said, 'I suppose she may as well go, though you know, my
dear, I cannot encourage any schoolgirl friendships. It would