though. Now what we've got to do is
to hustle up and get busy over costumes. They'll take some contriving.
Hide all your best things away from the Stars, or they'll be
commandeering them. Mabel has no conscience. And be careful that not the
least teeny-weeny hint leaks out. Let's talk openly about the toy-shop,
and pretend we're still going on practicing for it. It will be all the
bigger sell for them when they find out."

The Camellia Buds, having undertaken to paint six program covers, nobly
did their duty and finished them in the prescribed time. Lorna offered
to take them to Rachel's room, and met with quite a gracious reception
from the head girl. So much so that she ventured to put forward a
suggestion of her own.

"May Part I of the Transition stunt have a time limit?" she asked. "We
want to have some idea when we're to come on."

"Certainly," agreed Rachel. "We can't let Part I go on _ad infinitum_. I
hadn't thought of that. I shall tell Bertha she may have ten minutes and
no longer. I shall ring the curtain bell if she exceeds. I see your
point entirely. It's only fair."

"I was afraid if it was getting near tea-time the audience mightn't want
to stay."

"Exactly. I'll take care your stunt isn't crowded out. Trust that to me.
I'm not head girl here for nothing. And I'm not entirely blind either.
My advice is to look after yourselves."

Lorna returned to the Camellia Buds feeling she had considerably scored
over the Stars. Her previous acquaintance with school theatricals had
taught her that audiences are human, that even teachers will not sit
through too lengthy a performance, and that the lure of tea cannot be
resisted by those who are accustomed to drink it daily at 4 p.m. As
their own dormitory was half in possession of the enemy, Irene and Lorna
adjourned to Peachy's bedroom to make preparations for their costumes,
and held cosy sewing-bees in company with Delia, Jess, Mary, and any
other chums who were able to join them. They kept their properties
safely locked up inside one of the wardrobes in No. 13, and Peachy wore
the key tied under her skirt with a piece of ribbon.

"Because you can't trust that sneaking Mabel not to come in and poke
about," she explained grimly. "I know she wants my dressing-gown."

"We shall have to gallop with our costumes if we're to make anything of
a show," said Sheila, hastily running seams in a creation of scarlet and
blue, destined to clothe Canada.

"I know, but