“I don’t think I have a chance of going into the Upper School yet, and I do call it abominably unfair; but then, everything’s unfair in this world!” said Kitty.
“Kitty darling, there’s one thing—I hope you will try for the Howard Prize.”
“Rather!” said Kitty. “I mean to try, and, what’s more, I mean to get it; and when I get it I shall instantly write to those blessed trustees, or whoever they are, and get all the money and all the other things I can. I’m full of ambition. I’m just wild to have a lot of things that I haven’t got. I’ve got a little aunt who will be delighted when I tell her about this prize.”
“Kitty, I tell you what.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think your aunt would let you come to us for a week or ten days at Christmas?”
Kitty looked full at Jessie. Beside Kitty’s peculiar, dark Spanish beauty, Jessie looked extremely pale and washed-out. After a minute Kitty said, in a tremulous voice: “Wouldn’t I love it! Is it true, do you think they’d ask me?”
“I’m going to write to mother to-morrow to beg of her to do so; but you must write to your aunt and get permission.”
“Oh, she’ll give it fast enough, poor old thing! But I haven’t any grand frocks, you know, Jessie, and I suppose your house is magnificent? I suppose you have no end of parties, no end of gay times? You always look so handsome yourself.”
“Oh, I don’t think dress much matters,” said Jessie in a slightly abstracted way.