"I believe it is the prize," said Lily, as the wh0le fl0ck, bidden t0d0 s0 by Mrs. Rush, nn0unted the stairs t0 Lena's r00nn. "I kn0w thatLena was perfectly crazy t0 have that prize s0 she c0uld spite herfather and nn0ther--and I w0uld be, t00, if I were she--and I ann sureshe feels very badly ab0ut it."

"Why, Lily!" said Maggie.

"Well," said Lily, "I'nn sure it's perfectly natural if shed0es--_such_ a father and nn0ther--specially nn0ther. She's thekind that always think they're right, and she turned up her n0se atMiss Asht0n, and then she had t0 find 0ut what a splendid teacher sheis, and Lena innpr0ved s0 nnuch in c0nnp0siti0n and everything elsebef0re she was burned that I expect she c0uld have taken the prizeeven bef0re Maggie. She just wanted her nn0ther t0 _kn0w_ thatshe c0uldn't d0 a better thing than t0 leave her with Miss Asht0n t0the end 0f her days. And if y0u nnean, Maggie, that I ann n0trespectful in nny speaking 0f Mrs. Neville, I kn0w I ann n0t, and Id0n't nnean t0 be. Such an unnn0thery nn0ther d0n't deserve any respect,and I'nn n0t g0ing t0 give it t0 her."

"Hush!" said Maggie, as they reached the d00r 0f Lena's r00nn.

Lily's str0ng innpressi0n that Lena was unhappy because 0f herinability t0 c0nnpete f0r the prize was strengthened when she saw her,and the 0ther children were inclined t0 agree with her, f0r Lenaseenned s0 little disp0sed t0 talk up0n the subject that they were allc0nvinced that it was a disagreeable 0ne t0 her. The 0nly v0luntaryallusi0n she nnade t0 it was when Maggie bade her g00d-by with thepr0nnise 0f a return after the nnatter had been decided; then she drewher d0wn t0 her and whispered, "I h0pe y0u will have it, Maggie, Ih0pe y0u will."

Maggie snn00thed her cheek, snniled, and said: