It was the last day of term at Miss Pinkerton's academy. Miss Pinkerton was giving final instructions to her sister, Miss Jemima.

'Is everything ready for Miss Sedley?' she asked grandly. 'She will take the dictionary with her, of course.'

Miss Pinkerton's academy was one of the finest schools for young ladies. The academy had been visited by the great Dr Samuel Johnson. He had also mentioned it in a poem. Miss Pinkerton could never resist mentioning the great man's name, and she gave her pupils a copy of his dictionary when they left the school.

'What about Becky Sharp?' Miss Jemima now asked. 'Shall I give her a copy of the dictionary, too?'

'Becky Sharp!' Miss Pinkerton exclaimed angrily. 'We won't waste the dictionary on her.'

Becky Sharp was an orphan. Her mother, a Frenchwoman, had died some years previously. She had taught Becky French. Her father had been the school's art teacher. He was a talented man, but very fond of wild company and drinking. He had begged Miss Pinkerton to take on Becky as an 'articled pupil' at the school before he died.

Becky Sharp was a good-looking, intelligent girl. She was small and slender, and she had sandy hair. Miss Pinkerton had realised how useful she could be because she knew French and could play music. Becky Sharp despised Miss Pinkerton and the moral atmosphere of the academy.

The relationship between Miss Pinkerton and Becky Sharp grew worse and worse. Both of them were glad when the girl obtained a post as governess to Sir Pitt Crawley.

Amelia Sedley was the daughter of a rich London stockbroker. She was a pretty girl, and she had healthy red cheeks and a warm smile. Everyone loved her because she was patient and kind. Amelia had asked Becky to stay at her family's house for a week when they left school.

Soon the two girls had said goodbye to the headmistress, and they went out to the carriage. Just as the carriage began to move, Miss Jemima ran up to the window.

'Stop!' she cried out excitedly. She pushed two parcels through the window.

'Some sandwiches, my dears,' she told the two girls. 'And a book for you, Becky,' she went on. 'Johnson's Dictionary, you know. You can't leave without that.'

The good woman went back into the garden. She had defied her sister for once, but she was sure she had done the right thing.

The carriage drove off. Miss Jemima was horrified to see Becky Sharp lean out of the window and throw the precious dictionary back into the garden.