'Yes, if only Cyril would not notice it; he told me one day that no young lady ought to have hands like a kitchenmaid. Mamma heard him say it, and she begged me to use glycerine and sleep in gloves, but I could not do such things. I am afraid you think me very complaining, Miss Ross, but I have not got to the worst trouble of all, and that is--that I have so little time for my lessons.' 'Oh, I was going to ask you about that.' 'I fret about it dreadfully sometimes, and then Kester is so sorry for me. He does all he can for me, poor boy! but sometimes on a hot afternoon I am too sleepy and stupid to do my sums and Latin. I don't like sums, Miss Ross, or Latin either: I would so much rather read French and history with mamma--she reads so beautifully and teaches so well--but somehow she is so often too busy or too tired to attend to me.' 'And who teaches you music?' 'No one,' and here Mollie's face wore a look of the deepest dejection; 'we have no piano, and mamma does not play. When we lived at Richmond the lady in the drawing-room taught me my notes, and I used to practise scales and exercises in her room. She was such a funny old dear, with queer little pinned-up curls. Her name was Miss Foster--she had been a governess--and she used to be so kind to Kester and me. She would ask us into her room, and give us cake and nice things; but I don't think she liked mamma--she was always pitying us and calling us "poor children;" but I am sure we were very happy.' 'And she gave you music-lessons?' 'Yes, and I got on quite nicely. I am so fond of music, Miss Ross, and so is Cyril; he sings beautifully, and can play his own accompaniments. He talks of hiring a piano, and then perhaps I can practise my scales and exercises.' Audrey made no answer for a moment--she was deep in thought--and then she said suddenly: 'Are you busy all the morning, Mollie? I mean, if you had a piano, when would you practise?' This question seemed to puzzle Mollie. 'I hardly know, Miss Ross--in the morning, I think, when I had done helping Biddy. Kester generally wants me for an hour in the afternoon, and there is the chance, too, that mamma might call me to read history with her. I daresay I could get half an hour or so before dinner--luncheon, I mean.' 'Would you like to come to me twice a week for a lesson? Oh, Mollie dear, take care!' for the girl was starting up in her excitement; 'the water is very deep here, and if you upset us----' 'No, no, I will sit quite still; but I did so want to kiss you--it is such a lovely idea!'