"I know all about it, for it belongs to a very special friend of mine, and I am certain you will be looked after and all your best interests promoted." "And Hermione Aldyce goes too?" "Yes; she is a very nice girl, and a special friend of mine." "I know." "You will, I am sure, Dumps, do your utmost to attend to your studies. You will soon be sixteen; my intention is that you should remain at the French school for two years, and then come back in time to enjoy some of the pleasures of life--some of the pleasures, dear, as well as the responsibilities, for we never can dissever one from the other." I was silent. Why did I like her and yet dislike her? I had thought the day before when Hermione spoke of school that I should wildly rebel, but as I sat there looking at her placid face it did not occur to me to rebel. I said after a minute, "Step-mother, until I love you better, may I call you by that name?" "I have given you leave," she said in a low tone. "I have something to confess," I said. "What is that?" she asked. "I did not buy any thing useful out of the ten pounds you gave me." "Your father's dress allowance?" "You know it was yours." "Your father's," she repeated. "I will tell you how I spent it," I said; and then I described to her all about the ribbons and the chiffons and the gloves and the stockings and the handkerchiefs. "The stockings were needful," she said, "and so were the gloves and handkerchiefs. So much ribbon was scarcely essential, but it can be passed over. The hat you bought was vulgar, so I trust you will not wear it again." "What?" I said. "That lovely green hat with the bird-of-Paradise in it?" "It is very unsuitable to a girl of your age." "I got it in one of the smartest shops in Regent Street." "Anything that is unsuitable is vulgar, Dumps. I hope you will soon understand that for yourself." "Oh, I have a great deal to learn," I said, with sudden humility. "You have, my dear; and when you take that fact really to heart you will begin to learn in grave reality, and you will be all that your father and I long to make you." "But I'm not the least like father; he could never appreciate me, for I am so different from him. If, for instance, I were like Augusta--" "I wonder, Dumps, if it would greatly distress you if Augusta also went to the French school?" "What?" I said. "Augusta! But surely she cannot afford it?" "I think it could be arranged. I take an interest in her, poor child! There is no doubt she is wonderfully clever; but just at present she is very one-sided in all her views. Her intellect is somewhat warped by her having all her aspirations and desires forced into one channel." "Then, step-mother, you are going to support her?"