I
am no good at all at composition. I have no power with regard to
picturesque writing. I cannot see pictures like Kitty can. I believe
Sir John has set that theme on purpose, in order to give Kitty an
advantage; if so, it is horribly unfair of him."

Florence muttered these words to herself; then she glanced again at her
mother's letter. She put her hand into her pocket and pulled out her
purse. That purse, owing to Aunt Susan's bounty, contained over two
pounds. Florence resolved to send that two pounds to her mother
immediately. She began to write, but had scarcely finished her letter
before Bertha Keys, equipped for a walk, briskly entered the room.

"I am going to Hilchester," she said; "have you any message, Florence?"

"Oh, I should be so much obliged if you would post a letter for me,"
said Florence.

"I will, with pleasure," replied Bertha.

"Can you wait five minutes? I shall not be longer than that writing
it."

"Yes," replied Bertha. She went and stood by the low window-ledge, and
Florence bent over her sheet of paper. She wrote rapidly, a burning
flush coming into each cheek.

"Oh, darling little Mummy," she wrote, "I am sending you all the money
I have. Yes, you may be quite certain I will win the Scholarship by
fair means or foul. I feel nearly mad when I think of your sufferings;
but never mind, once the Scholarship is won and I am declared to the
world to be the Cherry Court Scholarship girl, once I am crowned queen
on the great day of the Scholarship competition, I shall, I perceive
well, be able to do exactly what I like with Aunt Susan, and then be
sure you shall not want. Please, dear Mummy, pay what is necessary of
this to the doctor, and get yourself what you can in the way of
nourishment. I am most, most anxious about you, my own darling little
Mummy, and I vow at any risk that you shall have my ten shillings a
week for the present. What do the girls at the school matter? What
matters anything if you are ill? Oh, do take care of yourself for my
sake, Mummy."

Bertha Keys moved restlessly, and Florence, having addressed the
envelope and stamped it, went up to her.

"Look here," she said, eagerly, "I wish I could come with you, but I
can't, for I have my lessons to prepare, and this is the night of the
conversazione. If you would be truly kind, would you do something for
me!"

"Of course I'll be truly kind," said Bertha; "I take a great interest
in you, Miss Aylmer,