mind she only
played with her food, became _distrait_ and inattentive, and had to be
spoken to once or twice by Mrs. Clavering in order to recall her
wandering attention.

Just as the meal came to an end Sir John turned to Kitty, then glanced
at Florence, laid his hand emphatically on the table, touched Mary on
her sleeve in order to ensure her attention, and spoke.

"Now," he said, "I am just going to say a word before we go for our
afternoon expedition."

"Afternoon expedition! Are we going to have anything very jolly this
afternoon?" said Kitty, her eyes sparkling.

"I hope so, my little girl; I have ordered horses for us all. I
understand that you can all ride, and I thought we could ride to
Culner's Heath, where we may enjoy a gipsy tea."

Even Florence almost forgot herself at this announcement. Could she
ride in her silk dress? Had Sir John thought of habits? It seemed
that Sir John had thought of everything.

"You will find habits in your bedroom, ladies," he said, "and you can
choose your horses when they come up to the door--but one word first."

Mrs. Clavering, who had half risen from the table, now paused, arrested
by an expression on her host's face.

"Yes," she said.

Sir John glanced at her and then smiled.

"I am about to speak to the girls," he said, "on the matter which we
discussed this morning, my dear madam."

Mrs. Clavering smiled, and bowed her head.

"You know, my dear girls," continued Sir John, turning and addressing
the three, "that the Scholarship competition will take place in a
little over a month from now. Now, I mean that occasion to be a very
grand occasion, I mean it to be strongly impressed upon the mind of
every girl in Cherry Court School, and no pleasure which I can devise
shall be omitted on the auspicious day. The happy winner of the
Scholarship shall be truly crowned with laurels, bonfires are to be
lighted in her honor, and the whole country-side is to be invited to
attend the great function, which I propose to take place, not at the
school, but in this house. I intend to invite the entire school to be
my guests on the great day. They shall all come early in the morning
and stay at this house until the following day. I am already making
preparations for the delightful time. And now, there is one thing I
want to ask. You three girls who are called by your companions the
lucky three have it in your power to invite each one guest to witness
your triumph.