ul it would
have been in happier circumstances!

The Committee announced that, should the weather prove unpropitious, a
modified form of the proposed entertainment would be given in Great
Hall, but no one seriously contemplated such a catastrophe. Providence
was so invariably kind to "Revels" that the oldest student could not
recall a day that had been less than perfect, and this year was no
exception to the rule. The air was soft, the sky was blue, the grass,
unscorched as yet by the heat of summer, of a rich emerald green, the
sunshine sent flickering shadows over the paths; it was one of those
perfect days when our native land is seen at its best; and when England
is at her best, go east or west, or where you will, you can find no
place to equal it! Every single inmate of school came down to breakfast
with a smile on her face, for this was a day of all play and no work,
and as the formal entertainment did not take place until three o'clock,
the whole morning remained in which to laze after one's heart's desire.
Even the Committee were so well on with their preparations that by
eleven o'clock they were free to join their friends, and Rhoda looked
eagerly round for Miss Everett. No one had seen her, however, and a
vague report that she was "headachy" sent the searcher indoors to
further her inquiries. She found the study door closed, but a faint
voice bade her enter, and there on the sofa lay Miss Everett with a
handkerchief bound round her head. She looked up and smiled at Rhoda's
entrance, and said immediately:

"Do you want me, dear? Can I do anything to help you?"

"So likely that I would let you, isn't it?" returned Rhoda scornfully.
"What is the matter? Is your head bad?"

"Yes! No! It isn't really so very bad, but one seems to give way when
there is nothing to do. If it had been an ordinary day I should have
gone on with my work, and even played games. I have managed to get
through many a time when I've been worse than this; but it's a luxury to
lie still and rest. I--I'm enjoying it very much!"

"You look like it!" said Rhoda shortly, noting with sharp eyes the
flushed cheeks, the drops of tell-tale moisture on the eyelashes. "This
room is like an oven, and it will get worse and worse as the day goes
on. Now, it's my turn to order you about, and you've got to obey. Get
up and put on your hat, and come out with me!"

"Rhoda, I can't! It's cruel! I can't walk about. Do--do let me rest
wh