turn up for
the sports. There's generally an absolute crowd."

As Lettice had indicated, a large number of visitors made their
appearance on breaking-up day. The quadrangle and playing-fields were
gay with summer dresses and parasols, and everywhere girls might be
seen conducting little parties of friends over the College buildings.

"The whole place seems topsy-turvy," remarked Honor. "You can go where
you like, and actually speak in the laboratory without forfeits! Even
the library is turned into a tea-room!"

"Yes, there are no rules this afternoon," replied Janie.

The sports were held in the cricket ground, and began punctually at
half-past four. Forms had been brought from the school, to make seats
for the spectators and for those of the girls who were not taking part
in the proceedings.

"I like a large audience," said Chatty Burns; "it's rather inspiring.
Of course, it makes one nervous, but, at the same time, it puts one on
one's mettle. I always do better when there are plenty of people to
watch."

"Especially when one feels that one is working for the credit of one's
own house," said Ruth Latimer. "We all want to see the orange ribbon to
the fore to-day."

"I'm afraid we've very little chance of winning anything," groaned
Madge Summers. "The Hilaryites are almost sure of the long jump. Mona
Richards beats the record. They call her 'The Kangaroo'!"

"And the School House will get the high jump," said Lettice. "We
haven't anybody so good as Lois Atkinson."

"How about the Atalanta race?"

"Doubtful. I expect it will go to Aldwyth's, or Bride's. They've been
training their champion runners the whole term, while we were
concentrating our energies on cricket. No Chaddites have even entered,
I believe! Chatty, you ought to be in it."

"It seemed no use putting down my name. I was practising last week--you
remember, we had a general trial of all the houses?--and I soon found I
hadn't a ghost of a chance."

"Well, St. Chad's must content itself with its cricket laurels. We've
got the cup for this year, at any rate."

The first portion of the programme consisted of military drill and
physical exercises, in which the whole school took part, showing a
readiness and promptitude of action worthy of a regiment. Miss Young
had prepared a little surprise for the visitors. At the end of the
display, the girls suddenly ranked themselves so that their sailor
hats, viewed from a distance, formed the College mott