"Oh, don't you go to correct me, my love. I can't help having the rather rough ways of people with small means; but you are clever, aren't you?"
"I believe I am in some things. There are some things again which I never can get into my head, try as I will. I am a queer mixture."
"You are a darling old thing," said the mother, giving her arm an affectionate squeeze.
"And you are the sweetest pet in the world," said Florence, glancing down at her parent. "Oh, it is good to be with you, Mummy, again."
"Well, darling, you'll get the prize, there's nothing to prevent it."
"There are several things to prevent it," said Florence, in a gloomy voice.
"What, my dear, darling pet—what?"
"Well, for instance, there are two other girls."
"Oh, girls," said Mrs. Aylmer, in a contemptuous voice. "I am not going to be frightened by girls. My Florence is equal to the best girl that ever breathed."
"Yes, but mother, you cannot quite understand. There's Kitty Sharston, for instance."