"It would be a kindness," said Sir John, slowly. "I happen to know Miss Dartmoor; she has few pleasures." Kitty nodded. Sir John turned to Mary. "Now, then, Miss Bateman, whom am I to ask on your account?" "Oh, father, father! How delightful! how he will enjoy it!" said Mary, her eyes sparkling, her face beaming. "He will so thoroughly appreciate it all, and it will be so splendid of you, Sir John." "How very free and easy Mary Bateman is," thought Florry to herself. Sir John smiled, took down Mr. Bateman's address, and promised that the invitation should reach him in good time. "I wonder if he will come. How he would love it!" thought Mary. Sir John glanced at her pleased face with marked approval. "And now, Miss Aylmer," he said, turning to Florence, "who will you have present--the one you love best: your mother, for instance?" Now, Florence had sent one wild throbbing thought to the little Mummy the moment Sir John had spoken of his plan. How the Mummy would enjoy it, how she would revel in the good food and the lovely house! What a red-letter day it would be to her all her life, for all the rest of her years! How Sukey and Ann Pratt and the neighbors down at Dawlish would respect her for evermore! And doubtless the Mummy's dress might be managed, and--but what about Aunt Susan? Would Aunt Susan ever forgive her? She dared not run the risk of her displeasure; too much depended on keeping her in a good humor. "I should like my aunt to come," she said, in a steady voice; "she is very kind to me and specially interested in the result of the Scholarship." "I know; I have heard from Mrs. Aylmer," said Sir John, in a pleasant tone; "if you would really prefer her to have the invitation to your mother, it shall be as you wish, Miss Aylmer." "I think it would be right," said Florence. Her heart gave a heavy throb, then seemed to stand still. Sir John gave her one keen glance, and took down Mrs. Aylmer's address in his pocket-book. "I happen to know your aunt, Miss Aylmer, and shall be pleased to extend hospitality to her on the auspicious event." CHAPTER XV. THE PUPIL TEACHER. At the beginning of the autumn term there happened to come to the school a girl of the name of Bertha Keys. She was between seventeen and eighteen years of age, and came to Cherry Court School in the capacity of pupil teacher. She was not a pleasant girl to look at, and had Mrs. Clavering seen her before she engaged her she might have hesitated to bring her into the midst of her young scholars.