"
"Oh no," said Ruth.
"But what is it? What is the matter?"
"I--I can't."
"You can. It will be madness to refuse. Think what a chance is offered
you. If you get Miss Renshaw's instruction you are safe to get that
scholarship; and it is for three years, Ruth. It would send you, with a
little help from your grandfather, perhaps to Holloway College, perhaps
to Somerville or Newnham, or even Girton. Perhaps you could try for a
scholarship in one of these great colleges afterwards. You daren't
refuse it. It means--oh, it means all the difference in your whole
life."
"I know," said Ruth. "Cassandra, I will write to you. I can't decide
just now. I am awfully obliged to you; I can't express what I feel. You
are good; you are very, very good."
Ruth caught one of Cassandra's hands and raised it to her lips.
"You are very good," she said again.
Meanwhile Kathleen O'Hara, after walking a very short way with Susy
Hopkins, gave her an abrupt good-bye and started running in the
direction of the Tennants' house. She did not care a bit for Susy; but
being a member of the Wild Irish Girls, and not only a member, but one
of the Cabinet, she must on all occasions be kind to her. Nevertheless a
commonplace little girl like Susy Hopkins had not one thing in common
with Kathleen.
"Everything is going splendidly," she said to herself. "No fear now that
I shall not have plenty of excitement in the coming by-and-by.
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