On the morning of the day when the prize essays were to be put on Miss Greene’s desk, Grace received a letter from her father which astonished her a good deal:
“My Dearest Child—I’m a silly old man to wish you to gain the Howard miniature prize; but there, my child, I should be that proud, and now I’ll tell you why—for I should recognise in my Grace a chip of the old block. I should feel that by and by my girl would worthily spend the riches which will be hers, that she would not waste them, but would turn them to account, like the faithful servant who did not wrap his talent in a napkin, but put it out to usury so that it gained more. That is what we have to do with all our talents, my Gracie, and if you gain the Howard miniature I’ll give you a hundred pounds just to do what you think best with, for I know you will not spend it contrary to your father’s wishes. By the way, child, give the enclosed post-office order to Kitty Merrydew. I hope the lass is improving.”
Kitty changed colour once or twice as Grace was reading this amazing letter.
“Poor daddy!” Grace said, when she had finished, “I hope to goodness, Kitty, that you haven’t been putting it into his head that I am likely to get that prize, when you know perfectly well that I haven’t the ghost of a chance of it. Here’s a post-office order for you, anyhow. Have you been asking daddy for money?”
Kitty coloured and then turned pale. “You need not be so unkind to me,” she said. “I’m sure I’d do anything in the world for you, and your father is always nice to me.”
“Well, you’ll be a rich girl if I do get the prize,” said Grace, “for dad says he’ll give me a hundred pounds. What can have put it into his head? But don’t rely on it, Kitty, for I have no more chance of the prize than you have, nor as much.”
Kitty made no reply; but that morning, which happened to be a whole holiday in the school, she begged of Miss Smith to walk down with her to the village in order that she might see Miss Weston. Miss Smith’s name has not often appeared in these pages, but she was one of the most good-natured and kindest of women, and all the girls adored her. Kitty and she were soon tramping off to the village, and Miss Smith allowed Kitty to visit Miss Weston alone. Kitty was very triumphant and excited, and paid in advance for her white muslin frock.
“I ’ear, miss, it’s to be for a very great occasion,” said the dressmaker. “I’m ’aving orders from most of the school. This ’as revived me a little, miss, and not made me feel so bitter against that King woman. Set ’er to cut a delicate Indian muslin, indeed! A nice show she’d make of it! What a wonderful prize you’re all competing for, miss; it’s the talk of Gable End. One of the servants was down ’ere yesterday, bringing an order from Miss Alison Maude; they all say that she’s to be the lucky competitor. Kate, who brought ’er message, left me a letter with full directions on it. Miss Maude is most particular about the cut of ’er dress, miss; nearly as much so as you are. Oh my! the orders I ’ave!”
“I wish I could see them, Miss Weston. You might show them to me, you really might.”
“Well, miss, I don’t like to refuse, but it really isn’t done.”