‘No feeling of the real evil in either!  How about Maura White?’

’That is very different.  It is her sister who writes, and so nicely that I must show it to you.’

’MY DEAR MADAM—–­I am exceedingly grieved that Maura should have acted in a dishonourable manner, though she was not fully aware how wrongly she was behaving.  We have been talking to her, and we think she is so truly sorry as not to be likely to fall into the same temptation again.  As far as we can make out, she has generally taken pains with her tasks, and only obtained assistance in unusually difficult passages, so that we think that she is really not ill-prepared.  If it is thought right that all the pupils concerned should abstain from the competition, we would of course readily acquiesce in the justice of the sentence; but to miss it this year might make so serious a difference to her prospects, that I hope it will not be thought a necessary act of discipline, though we know that we have no right to plead for any exemption for her.  With many thanks for the consideration you have shown for her, I remain, faithfully yours,

K. WHITE.’

’A very different tone indeed, and it quite agrees with Valetta’s account,’ said Miss Mohun.

‘Yes, the other two girls were by far the most guilty.’

’And morally, perhaps, Maura the least; but I retain my view that, irrespective of the others, Valetta’s parents had rather she missed this examination, considering all things.’

Valetta came home much more grieved when she had found she was the only one left out, and declared it was unjust.

No,’ said Gillian, ’for you began it all.  None of the others would have got into the scrape but for you.’

‘It was all your fault for not minding me!’

‘As if I made you do sly things.’

‘You made me.  You were so cross if I only asked a question,’ and Val prepared to cry.

‘I thought people had to do their own work and not other folks’!  Don’t be so foolish.’

’Oh dear! oh dear! how unkind you are!  I wish—–­I wish Mysie was here; every one is grown cross!  Oh, if mamma would but come home!’

‘Now, Val, don’t be such a baby!  Stop that!’

And Valetta went into one of her old agonies of crying and sobbing, which brought Aunt Jane in to see what was the matter.  She instantly stopped the scolding with which Gillian was trying to check the outburst, and which only added to its violence.

‘It is the only thing to stop those fits,’ said Gillian.  ’She can if she will!  It is all temper.’

‘Leave her to me!’ commanded Aunt Jane.  ‘Go!’

Gillian went away, muttering that it was not the way mamma or Nurse Halfpenny treated Val, and quite amazed that Aunt Jane, of all people, should have the naughty child on her lap and in her arms, soothing her tenderly.

The cries died away, and the long heaving sobs began to subside, and at last a broken voice said, on Aunt Jane’s shoulder, ’It’s—–­a—–­ little bit—–­like mamma.’