"There are altogether seven of you, excluding Robina. Now, Robina has a special power with children, and has already captivated the affections of Ralph. It would not be fair that Robina should exercise her influence over him during the trial week, but each of the rest of you shall in turn take care of the little man for an entire day. I will give you no directions whatever with regard to how you will treat him. During that day the girl who has him in charge will be excused from lessons. She will look after him from morning till night, dress him and undress him, take him for a walk, and provide for his amusement generally. She will help him to learn his simple lessons; she will, in short, be his mother _pro tem_. I do not expect any one of you absolutely to fail, and at the end of the week Ralph is himself to choose his school-mother. Now, nothing can be fairer than this. Frederica, my dear, you, as the eldest girl in the form, will look after Ralph to-morrow. And now I think I have said all that is necessary." Mrs Burton asked the girls to leave the room, which they did in a body, and great was the discussion which took place in the third form parlour on that special evening. Frederica was the first to speak. "Of course, I will look after Ralph," she said, "and I don't believe I shall find it difficult. I have several brothers and sisters at home, and though I don't know that I am especially good with children, I think, on the whole, I can manage them fairly well." "You are not to spoil him, you know," said Harriet. "Perhaps," interrupted Frederica, "we had best each keep our own counsel as to the manner in which we are to treat Ralph. It is a great responsibility, and as something hangs on it--for I don't pretend for a moment I should not like to get the pony--the less we say to each other the better." "There's one thing," said Rose Amberley at that moment. "Mrs Burton, I am sure, will not wish any of us to give Ralph sweeties or cakes, or the sort of things that might make him ill. Otherwise, I suppose each girl will manage him her own way. Now, let us see. To-morrow will be Wednesday. You are to look after him to-morrow, Frederica. I suppose Patience comes next, and then I; and then, I think, it is your turn, Harriet, isn't it? I presume we'll come according to our ages. You are next oldest to Rose, aren't you?" "Yes," said Harriet. "Very well then, Harriet. If I look after Ralph to-morrow," said Frederica, "and Patience has him on Thursday, and Rose on Friday, Saturday will be your day." "Oh, I hate having him on Saturday," said Harriet, "for that is our half-holiday, and there are such lots of things to be done." "Still, that can scarcely be helped," said Frederica again, "for your turn comes on Saturday, so there is nothing to be said." "What a nuisance!" said Harriet. "And I suppose Jane will have him Sunday; I wish my day were Sunday."