her news. "We have to do prep, with the
Sixth Form, and Miss Drummond sits there herself, as well as Miss
Forster, and keeps looking at us, to make sure that we're working. We
hardly dare to lift our eyes from our books even for a second, and the
room is so still that if anyone drops a pencil it makes quite a
sensation. Before we go, each girl has to tell what marks she has gained
or lost during the day. It's a regular confession! I can tell you, we
have to be fearfully careful, and not make any more mistakes than we can
help. It won't last long, though, because I hear Miss Bardsley is quite
able to walk now with a stick, and she's to come back to class in a week
from to-day."

"How blissful!" sighed Aldred. "Will Miss Webb be going, then?"

"Yes, on Saturday. I'm very sorry for her. Of course, she's not
interesting, but she really did her best, poor thing, and I think the
girls have behaved abominably. I wonder who chalked her chair?"

"Haven't they found out?"

Aldred's voice was very quiet, and she did not look at Mabel as she
spoke.

"No. Everybody denies it flatly. I believe it lies between Phoebe and
Dora. Ursula actually had the cheek to suggest that you must have done
it! I was so angry with her!"

"You always stand up for me."

"I should think so!--I know you so well, dear. But Ursula is always
jealous of you, and is inclined to be rather spiteful. I was obliged to
take a very high hand with her. I said I should refuse to speak to
anyone who connected your name again with the affair, and whoever spoke
a word against you in future would quarrel also with me. That soon put
them down. They're rather anxious to keep friends with me just now,
because my aunt is staying at Chetbourne, and has sent me a box for
Wednesday's _matinee_ of _Julius Caesar_. She asked Miss Drummond to
allow me to go with one of the teachers and any friends I liked. I only
wish you were well enough! I invited Miss Webb promptly. She and Miss
Forster are to take us."

"Oh, I'm so glad Miss Webb is going!"

"Yes, I think she's pleased; but I'm sure the girls don't deserve a
treat, and I believe I'll ask the prefects instead of them. It would
really serve the Form right to be left out. The way they treated poor
Miss Webb was most unchivalrous."

"Unchivalrous? Is that the right word?" queried Aldred, rather puzzled.
"I thought chivalry was only for men, and that it meant fighting in
tournaments, with your lady's favour fastened to