"Yes," said Charley; but he added, laughing, "What will be the use, when you are going to send such a prize blossom?" "For shame, you naughty man!" said Mrs Bray. "I shall certainly tell Laura you've turned flatterer." "I say, Charley Vining," squeaked a loud voice from the next window, "we're going to beat you Court folks." "We are, are we?" laughed Charley, turning in the direction of the voice, which proceeded from a very tall angular young lady of sixteen--a tender young plant, nearly all stem, and displaying very little blossom or leaf. She was supported on either side by two other tender plants, of fourteen and twelve respectively, forming a trio known at the Elms as "the children." "I'm very glad to hear it, Miss Nell; but suppose we wait till after the judge's decision. But there goes the carriage. Good-bye, all!" And turning his horse's head, he soon overtook the brougham, when, after soothing Mr Dudgeon, the driver, with a shilling, the progress was pretty swift until they reached the tree, where, now finding shelter from the sun instead of the rain, yet stood Laura Bray and her companion. "O, how good of you, Mr Vining! and to come back, too!" gushed Laura, with sparkling eyes. "I shall never be out of debt, I'm sure. I don't know what I should have done if it had not been for you!" "Walked home, and a blessed good job, too!" muttered Mr John Dudgeon. "Don't name it!" said Charley. "Almost a pity it's left off raining." "For shame--no! How can you talk so!" exclaimed Laura, shaking her sunshade at the speaker. "But I really am so much obliged--I am indeed!" Charley dismounted and opened the carriage-door, handing in first Miss Bray, who stepped forward, leaned heavily upon his arm, and then took her place, arranging her skirts so as to fill the back seat, talking gushingly the while as she made play at Charley with her great dark eyes. But the glances were thrown away, Charley's attention being turned to her companion, who bent slightly, just touched the proffered hand, and stepped into the brougham, taking her seat with her back to the horse. "So much obliged--so grateful!" cried Laura, as Charley closed the door. "I shall never be able to repay you, I'm sure. Thanks! So much! Good-bye! See you at the flower-show to-morrow, of course? Good-bye!--_good-bye_!"