"She does it for your good," said Annie; "there is no question of money in the matter. Now do listen to me. I happen to know what dear Priscie's school bills amount to. She is taken cheaper than the other girls, and all her expenses for one term are abundantly covered by thirty pounds. Now most likely your expenses for a single term would amount to fifty or sixty pounds, perhaps even to more; but poor old Pris is taken, on special terms. Mrs Lyttelton doesn't wish it to be known, but I found out; for one day I came across a letter from her uncle, in which he enclosed a cheque to Priscie for last term's expenses, and I know exactly what it amounted to: twenty-seven pounds seventeen shillings and fourpence. I thought it rather funny of him to enclose the cheque to her, and spoke to her about it. You know she is fearfully untidy, and she had left it with her handkerchiefs and ribbons and things in her top drawer. She told me then, poor girl! that her uncle always sent her the cheque, expecting her to hand it over at once to Mrs Lyttelton. `He hates even paying that much for me,' she said, `and I do wish I could get away from him altogether. He is horrid to me, and I lead a hateful life on account of him.'" "Poor thing!" said Mabel. "It must be disagreeable for her. In some ways she is worse off than I am." "She would give all the world to stay here for another year," continued Annie; "and it's most cruel of that horrid old uncle Josiah of here to take her from school; for I know quite well that if she were allowed another twelve months here she could try for a big scholarship, and go to Girton or Newnham, and than be able to support herself in the way she likes best." "Yes, of course," said Mabel, yawning and walking over towards the window, which she flung wide-open. "But still, I don't see how I can help." "I know how you can help quite well, and how you shall help, and must help," said Annie, speaking with great deliberation. "You must do what may seem just a _leetle_ crooked in order that good may come Priscie's life shall not be spoiled; you shall not have a dull year; and I--poor little Annie--must also have my fan, and perhaps before long. Now I will tell you at once, Mabel, how you can do it." Mabel sank down in a chair, and her face became quite white. "This is what you must do," continued Annie. "Mrs Priestley lends money to several ladies. I happen to know, for a maid Uncle Maurice had in his house last summer told me so. Mrs Priestley has made your dresses ever since you came to school; and your aunt pays the bills, doesn't she, without worrying you much?" "Yes." "And no one dresses so beautifully as you do in the whole school, Mabel." "Oh, well," said Mabel, "it isn't necessary for me to be careful--that is just it."