s instead of
persons. If you will lay up plenty of interests while you are young, you
will find you have been like bees gathering honey, and you will have a
store to draw upon for the rest of your lives quite independent of all
outside happenings, or good or bad fortune which may come to you."

It was not every day, of course, that the girls could be taken for long
country walks; there were many other occupations at The Priory which
were quite as delightful. During the summer term the callisthenic class
was given up, and swimming was held instead in the large bath beyond the
gymnasium. Patty, who had not yet had any opportunity of learning to
swim, looked forward with great eagerness to her first dip. The bath was
very nicely arranged, with a broad walk round it, where onlookers could
stand and watch, a row of small dressing-rooms at each side, and a
platform at the deep end, from which diving might be performed. Patty
found that she and Jean Bannerman were the only ones in the class who
had not already had some practice in the water. The two beginners donned
their costumes and made their initial plunge together, therefore, at the
shallow end. They would have been quite content to splash about like
ducks, watching the more advanced members, who were floating and
swimming as if in their natural element; that, however, Miss Latimer
would not allow. Placing a lifebuoy round Patty's waist, she decreed
that she must commence to learn her strokes, and showed her carefully
how these ought to be done. There was a long plank across the bath upon
which the teacher could stand, and by means of a rope attached to the
lifebuoy, could hold up her pupil until she had mastered the art of
keeping herself afloat. Patty found it a great deal more difficult than
she had at first imagined. She floundered and struggled helplessly in
her efforts to carry out Miss Latimer's directions, foolishly opened her
mouth in the water, spluttered, choked, and was very glad to take a
rest, and allow Jean to have a turn instead. The latter, who had bathed
often at the seaside, got on much better, and was able to inspire Patty
with confidence for fresh efforts when she plucked up her courage to try
again.

"You needn't be in the least afraid," said Miss Latimer encouragingly.
"Everyone finds it hard at first, just like learning to ride a bicycle,
or to skate, or any other unaccustomed mode of locomotion. You will soon
get used to the movements, and then y