A Bunch of Cherries: A Story of Cherry Court School. Meade L. T.

– yes, I vow I wouldn't. Why, Kitty, how you have stained your dress; you must have knelt on a cherry when you were picking them just now in the orchard."

      "So I have; what a pity!" said Kitty. She glanced down at the deep red stain, and then added, "I'll run upstairs presently and wash it out."

      "Well, don't catch cold, whatever you do. But stay, won't you first hear me my English History questions?"

      Kitty immediately complied. Yes, Florence was stupid; she did not half know her questions; her replies were wide of the mark. Kitty felt at first distressed and then very determined.

      "Look here, Florence," she said, "this will never do; you must work through that portion of English History all the afternoon, and I will help you to the very best of my ability. I happen to know the time of Queen Elizabeth so well, for it was a favorite time with my father. He always loved those old stories of the great worthies who lived in the time of Queen Elizabeth. Yes, I'll help you. Shall we read these chapters of history together this afternoon?"

      "I cannot, I cannot," said Florence. "My head aches and everything seems hopeless. Why, if that is so, Kitty, I shan't even have a chance of being one of the lucky three."

      "Oh, yes, you will – you must," said Kitty. "Half of the pleasure of the competition would be lost if you and I were not to work together during the holidays."

      "Well, there is something in that," said Florence, brightening as she spoke. "I forgot when I spoke so dismally that you, too, were to spend the holidays here. By the way, has your father sailed yet?"

      "On Monday last," said Kitty, in a very low voice. She turned her head aside as she spoke.

      "I believe you are the bravest girl in the world," said Florence, stoutly; "but there, you are a great deal too good for me. I wish you were naughty sometimes, such as you used to be, daring and a little defiant and a little indifferent to rules, but you are so changed since the Scholarship has come to the fore. Does it mean a great deal to you, Kitty?"

      "I can't talk of it," said Kitty, "I'd rather not; we are both to try for it; I believe it means a great deal to us both."

      "It means an immensity to me," said Florence.

      "Then it is not fair for us to talk it over when we are both going to try our hardest to win it, are we not?"

      "If that is the case why do you help me with my English History?"

      "Because I should like you to be one of the lucky three."

      "Are you certain? Although I don't know this history very well, I shall be a dangerous rival, that I promise."