"It is, mother, but we cannot get over the fact. She is a favorite with the school, and I must own she is a jolly girl. Now, what do you think she did for me?" "What, my darling?" "You know the Cherry Feast?" "Of course I do--have not you described it to me so often? You would make a wonderful writer, I believe, you would make a lot of money writing stories, Florence." "No, I wouldn't, Mummy, not really. It takes a good deal to be a good story-writer." "Well, go on, pet, I am all agog to hear." So Florence related also the story of the cherry ribbons. "Wasn't it like Aunt Susan?" she said. "Just," exclaimed the mother; "the stingiest old cat in existence." "And wasn't it nice of Kitty, and didn't she do it well?" said Florence. "Oh, she is a splendid girl, and I ought not to hate her." "But you do hate her?" "I am afraid I do sometimes." "And I'm not a bit surprised, dear, coming between you and this great chance. But, oh, Florry, you must win, it is all-important; I'll tell you why to-morrow. There is a letter from your Aunt Susan which will take some of the pleasure out of this little visit, but it makes the Scholarship absolutely essential. I'll tell you all about it to-morrow." CHAPTER X. AUNT SUSAN. Florence slept soundly that night, and awoke the next morning in the highest of spirits and the best of health. "It is wonderful, Mummy," she said, "how you and I can squeeze into this camp bed, but there, I never moved all night; it was delicious to have you so close to me. I cannot understand why I love you as I do, for you are a very plain, ordinary sort of woman." "I never was anything else," replied Mrs. Aylmer, by no means offended by Florence's frank remarks. "Your poor father always said, 'It's your heart, not your face, that has won me, Mabel.' Your poor father had a great deal of pretty sentiment about him, but I am matter-of-fact to the backbone. There, child, jump up now and get dressed, and I'll go down and prepare the breakfast. Sukey is rather cross this morning, and I always make the coffee myself." Mrs. Aylmer bustled out of the room, and Florence slowly rose and dressed. "I wonder what mother would think of me," she said to herself, "if she knew how I really secured my present position as one of the lucky three; I wonder what mother would think about it. Would she be terribly shocked? I doubt if the little Mummy has the highest principles in the world; in fact, I don't doubt, for I am quite certain that the Mummy's principles are a little lax, but there, she is the Mummy, and I love her. What a queer thing love is, for Mummy is not the highest-souled woman, nor the most beautiful in the world. Still, she is the Mummy, and I love her." So Florence finished dressing and ran downstairs, and enjoyed a hearty breakfast of brown bread and butter, honey, and delicious coffee.