“It is a letter from Mrs. Dodd. She has heard that I am leaving here, and wants to know if I will go to them for a bit.”
“But can you go? Won’t your aunt be terribly disappointed?” said Jessie.
“I can go to Aunt Glory for a few days afterwards; it would not do to offend the Dodds, would it?” Kitty’s heart was fairly bursting with glee.
“Oh I suppose not,” said Jessie in a careless tone. “Very well, then, in that case we can countermand the order for the carriage to take you to the railway station. You would like, however, to send a reply to Mrs. Dodd, wouldn’t you?”
“Mrs. Dodd says that if I will accept her invitation she will send her motor-car to fetch me at half-past twelve to-morrow,” said Kitty.
“That is very kind of her. We can easily send a messenger there to-night. Will you write now then, Kitty?”
Kitty did so.
CHAPTER XXI.
PREPARING FOR THE COMPETITION.
The next term at The Red Gables School passed without anything very remarkable occurring. The girls were all extremely busy, working for the prize; it was the sort of work which must occupy them not only during school hours but also in play hours, at all times, and during all occasions. As far as the outward eye could see, the competition for the Howard miniature seemed to have a sobering and beneficial effect on the school. The girls wondered and wondered amongst themselves who would be the happy possessor of this great distinction. There were many private talks on the subject, and the see-saw of public opinion was very strongly in favour of Alison Maude in the Upper School. There was only one doubt with regard to Alison. Her conduct was perfect, her character serene and lofty; but she was by no means specially clever, and genius was undoubtedly required to play its part in this great competition. Molly was willing to try, although she did not consider she had a chance; Bridget O’Donnell was keen on the subject, and odds were very largely in her favour. In the Lower School all eyes were fixed on Kitty; if any one in the Lower School got the prize it would beyond doubt be Kitty. She had an extraordinary and wonderful power over others, which power seemed to increase with her growth, and which had been much intensified during her recent visit to Hillside. Dodd had been true to his word during that brief visit, and had taken little or no notice of the girl, simply allowing her, as he expressed it, “the run of the house,” and according her a careless nod morning and evening. But on the night before she returned to school he called her into his study for a few minutes.
“A word with you, wench. Stand up and take it like a woman.”