y sported the shamrock, and as she
entered the beautiful, old-world room again she could not help a
feeling of wonder at how much had happened since she had first set foot
there, and of relief that this second summons should be for
approbation, instead of blame.

She would give no account afterwards of what took place, or what the
girl's parents said to her, though Lettice was full of curiosity and
pressed her for particulars.

"Look here!" she exclaimed; "if anybody says another word to me about
this business, I shall leave St. Chad's and go across to St. Hilary's.
I should be sorry to desert you all, but I'm sick of the very sound of
'life-saving'! As for the medal, I'm thankful to say it will be sent to
me by post during the holidays, so there'll be no dreadful ordeal of
presentation. Now, I've told you as much as I intend, so please go
away, and let me do my preparation in peace!"

CHAPTER XI

A Relapse

Towards the end of June there was a burst of very warm weather, so
sultry and hot as to make games, or any form of violent exertion,
almost an impossibility. Ruth Latimer fainted one day when she was
fielding, after which Miss Cavendish absolutely prohibited cricket in
the blazing sun, and set to work to devise other means of occupation.
The girls themselves would have been ready enough to lounge about all
the afternoon in the grounds, chatting and doing nothing, but of that
the head mistress did not approve; she considered it might tend to
encourage habits of gossip and idling, and much preferred that everyone
should have some definite employment. She temporarily altered the hours
of work, setting preparation from two until four, so that in the
evening the school might be free to go out and enjoy the breeze that
often rose towards sunset. In the circumstances, this really seemed a
better division of time, for during the early afternoon it was actually
cooler in the house, with sunblinds drawn to protect the windows, than
out-of-doors; and though there were many groans at having to learn
lessons and write exercises immediately after dinner, on the whole the
change was regarded with favour. General public opinion would have
decided on swimming as the most suitable occupation in the state of the
thermometer, but since the events related in the last chapter Miss
Cavendish would not allow more than eight girls to go into the sea at
once.

"It is as many as Miss Young can undertake to be responsible for,"