Barton chuckled.
"Only as a foil to yourself, my dear. Now then, Dicky, what is the matter?"
"I don't like an ugly governess," whimpered Dicky. "Can't Hilda teach me?"
"I don't know about that, Dick. If beauty is the essential factor in your teacher, then certainly Miss Marsh is more than qualified. What do you say, Miss Marsh? Will you undertake this young gentleman's education?"
Hilda shook her head, and laughed herself into a pretty state of confusion. It certainly became her.
"I'm not clever enough," said she, wincing under Barton's regard.
"H'm. That's a pity, otherwise you might have had this fifty pounds a year."
"What?" screamed Mrs. Darrow, "do you intend to give this creature fifty pounds?"
"Why not? She's worth it."
"Who is she?"