'if I had not other duties, to dedicate my life to the service of girls.'
'I should think twice about that, if I were you,' said I, shaking my head.
'By the way, Mr. Carter, I don't know if I've ever spoken unkindly of Lady Mickleham. I hope not.'
'Hope,' said I, 'is not yet taxed.'
'If I have, I'm very sorry. She's been most kind in undertaking to give away the prizes to-day. There must be some good in her.'
'Oh, don't be hasty!' I implored.
'I always wanted to think well of her.'
'Ah! Now, I never did.'
'And Lord Mickleham is coming, too. He'll be most useful.'
'That settles it,' I exclaimed. 'I may not be an earl, but I have a perfect right to be useful. I'll go too.'
'I wonder if you'll behave properly,' said Mrs. Hilary doubtfully.
I held out a half-sovereign, three half-crowns, and a shilling.
'Oh, well, you may come, since Hilary can't,' said Mrs. Hilary.
'You mean he won't,' I observed.
'He has always been prevented hitherto,' said she with dignity.
So I went, and it proved a most agreeable expedition. There were two hundred girls in blue frocks and white aprons (the girl three from the end of the fifth row was decidedly pretty)—a nice lot of prize books—the Mickle-
