The great and thrilling subject of the prizes was on every one's lips, and each and all declared that Hollyhock was certain to get the prize for valour and good-fellowship. What the test would be nobody knew, and Hollyhock kept her own thoughts to herself. She was deeply concerned, however, to set Leucha to work, and had a long talk with her friend on the evening of that day.
'You can try for the essay, Leuchy dear,' she said.
'No, I can't; I haven't got the gift. I have got _no_ gift except my love for you. Oh, kiss me, Hollyhock; kiss me!'
Hollyhock endured a moat fervent embrace. A voice in the distance was heard saying, 'Little fool. _I_ cannot stand that nonsense!'
'Who is talking?' said Leucha, standing back, her face assuming its old unpleasant expression.
'Oh, nobody worth thinking of, dear,' said Hollyhock, who knew quite well, however, that Margaret Drummond was the speaker. Margaret had not been friendly to her--not in the old passionate, worshipful way--since the night of the ghostie. Hollyhock's present object, however, was to get Leucha to put down her name for the essay, explaining to her how great would be the glory of the happy winner of the diamond locket.
'You may be sure it is worth trying for,' said Hollyhock, 'for the brave old Duke never does anything by halves.'
'Ah, kiss me, kiss me,' said Leucha. 'I'd do anything for you; you know that.'
'I do; but we won't have much time for kissing when we are busy over our different tasks. I 'll help you a good bit with your essay, Leuchy. There's no name given to the subject, so what do you say to calling it "The Kitchen Cat"?'
'Oh, my word! I was angry with you then,' said Leucha.
'So you were, my bonnie dearie, and I only did it out of the spirit of mischief; but I can instruct you _right_ well in the ways of the kitchen cat.'
'You cannot hate wee Jean, and I'll tell you all her bonnie ways.'
'What subject are you going to take yourself, Holly?'
'Oh, I--I 'm in the _danger zone_,' said Hollyhock, with a light laugh.
'It terrifies me even now to think of that ghost!'
'Don't be frightened, Leuchy. He means no harm, and he will not trouble you again. So don't you trouble your bonnie head, but win the glorious prize by an essay on the kitchen cat. I can assure you no one else will choose _that_ subject, so you have the field to yourself, and well you'll do the work. Don't I _know_ that you 'll get the beauteous prize with the Duke's crest on it, in the stones that sparkle and shine?'