of the various committees of the school sports and games
was about to be held, at which everybody was requested to attend.

"I'm glad you stood up to Ernestine Salt," said Janet Forbes, who had
been a silent listener. "But I'm afraid she'll hate you ever afterwards,
and she can be uncommonly nasty when she likes. You'll be in for the
cricket? We all have to play, whether we want to or not. I suppose you
didn't bring a bat? The tennis-courts are reserved for the upper forms,
but the fourth and fifth classes are getting up a Badminton club, and I
advise you to join that. I'll propose you for the archery, too, if you
like; it's splendid fun when we have a tournament."

Lucy and I were only too ready to be included in anything that might be
going on, and soon found ourselves duly elected members, not only of the
Badminton and archery, but also of a croquet club and an athletic
society, which was to practise various feats of skill for the annual
sports.

"How are you getting on?" said Catherine Winstanley, making her way
across the room to us from a quieter group of girls who seemed to have
been having a private meeting apart from the others. "I'm glad you're
joining all the games. Shall I propose you for the dramatic society? We
always get up a piece at the end of the term. Mother told me how you
were playing at carnival that time she saw you in London, and how well
you had dressed up all your cousins, so I'm sure you must be fond of
acting."

"I wish you would," I replied; "I should like to join immensely."

"Then let us go at once; they're just electing the members now. Janet,
come here! I'm going to propose Philippa for the dramatic society. Will
you second her?"

"Of course I will," answered Janet heartily; and they stepped across to
the select committee, who were seated on the top of a long row of
lockers at the end of the room.

"I beg to propose Philippa Seaton as an active member of this society,"
said Cathy, with a little business-like air.

"And I beg to second this proposal," added Janet, pulling me forward to
show me to the committee. The president, a tall girl in spectacles, took
out her note-book and a well-worn stump of pencil ready to record my
name.

"The candidate has been duly proposed and seconded. Has any member any
objection to raise?" she enquired.

"I veto the election!" said Ernestine Salt hastily, rising before anyone
else had time to reply. "The candidate is a new girl; we don't know