in the
wrong way. This school isn't really united. We're all divided up into
our own sororities, and we're not doing enough for one another. We've
got to alter it somehow or confess ourselves failures. Do any of us
seniors really _know_ the little ones? I'm sure I don't! Yet we ought to
be elder sisters to them! That's the real function of prefects--we're
not just assistant-mistresses to help to keep order. Don't you agree?"

Sybil, Erica, Phyllis, and Stella were conscientious girls, and when
the matter was thus stated they saw it from Rachel's new point of view.
They were ready and willing to talk over plans. They decided, amongst
other developments, that with Miss Morley's permission, they would
invite the juniors in relays to dormitory teas, in order to win their
confidence and establish more friendly relations with them. The
Transition were also to be cultivated, and their opinion asked on the
subject of term-end festivities and other school affairs about which the
prefects had never before deigned to consult them. The altered attitude
promised a far more healthy and satisfactory state, and Miss Morley, to
whom Rachel hinted some of their reasons for offering hospitality,
readily agreed, and allowed the juniors to be entertained with cakes and
tea upon the veranda.

"The seniors gave us a simply top-hole time," confided Desiree to Irene
afterwards. "We'd cream puffs and almond biscuits and preserved ginger,
and we played games for prizes. But don't think we liked it any better
than your candy parties. The prefects are awfully kind to us now, but it
was you who took us up _first_! We can't forget _that_!"

CHAPTER XVII

The Anglo-Saxon League

There was an old established custom at the Villa Camellia that on the
evening of the last day of March (unless that date happened to fall on a
Sunday) the pupils were allowed special license after supper, and,
regardless of ordinary rules, might disport themselves as they pleased
until bedtime. Irene, who had not yet been present on one of these
occasions, heard hints on all sides of coming fun, mingled with mystery.
Peachy twice began to tell her something, but was stopped by Delia. Joan
and Sheila seemed to be holding perpetual private committee meetings;
Elsie spent much time in Jess Cameron's dormitory; and, wonder of
wonders, Esther Cartmell was seen walking arm in arm with Mabel Hughes.
Though Irene asked many questions from various friends as to the nature