"And a beautiful one to boot," interrupted Sir John. "Well, this is terrible; what can we do?"
"Nothing," repeated Mrs. Clavering again.
"Is it to-night," he said, "you announce your programme for the Cherry Feast?"
"Then I have a crow to pluck with you; you never sent me notice to attend."
"I did not, for I thought you would be away, but will you come in this evening, Sir John, we shall all be delighted to see you?"
"I will," he said, "and you know I always offer a prize of my own, which is to be given at the Cherry Feast. Now, why should not we on this occasion offer a prize which Kitty Sharston runs a chance of winning, and which would save her from leaving Cherry Court School?"
Sir John bent forward and began to speak eagerly.
"Now, come," he said, "I think I can manage it. Could it not be done in this way?" He spoke in a low tone, and Mrs. Clavering bent her head to listen.
"But, even if you did offer such a prize," she said, "which in itself would be very valuable, what chance has Kitty of winning it? She is not particularly forward in any of her studies, and then the girls who did not want it would get it."
"I am persuaded that Kitty has plenty of ability," said Sir John.
"I quite agree with you, and to work for such a prize would be an immense stimulus; but then, you know, the feast comes on so soon, and there are only three weeks in which to prepare."
"We can manage it by means of a sort of preliminary canter," said the baronet, in a musing tone; "I am sure we can work the thing up. Now, let us put our heads together and get some idea into shape before to-night. That child must be saved; her father's feelings must be respected. She must stay here and be under your wing, and I will go and have a chat with Sharston and see if I cannot make life endurable to the poor little girl, even though he is away in India."
"Well, it is very nice your being a friend of Major Sharston's. If you will stay here for about half an hour while I am attending to something else, I will come back and we will see what scheme we can draw up."
"Good," said Sir John, "and don't hurry back, for I am going to put on my considering-cap. This thing must be managed by hook or by crook."
It was in this way that the great prize which caused such excitement in Cherry Court School was started.