oks, said
"Good afternoon, girls!" and made their exit, leaving the building for
once in the sole possession of the pupils. Miss Strong, indeed, who
disapproved of the whole business, took the precaution of locking her
desk before her departure, a proceeding which provoked indignant sniffs
from the witnesses; but, sublimely indifferent to public opinion, she
put the key in her pocket, and stalked from the room. The girls gave her
a few moments' grace to get out of earshot, then broke into a babble of
conversation.

"Which are we having first, the election or the tea?"

"Oh, the tea!"

"No, no! Business first and pleasure afterwards."

"I can't vote till I've had some tea."

"It's too early!"

"No, it isn't! We're most of us ready for it."

"Look here!" suggested Ingred. "Let's settle it this way. Have tea
first, then the election, and then some fun afterwards. Don't you think
that would sandwich things best?"

"True, O Queen! I don't mind what happens afterwards, so long as I get a
bun quick!"

"Let's fetch the prog," agreed Linda Slater, leading the way towards the
cloak-room where the baskets had been stored.

The giggling procession met emissaries from other forms, bent on a like
errand, and exchanged a brisk banter as they passed on the stairs.

"We've got jam tartlets!"

"Not as nice as our cheese cakes!"

"Nellie's brought a whole pound of macaroons!"

"Oh! will you swap with us for rock buns?"

"I should just think not!"

"Dolly Arden has five oranges!"

"Well, we've got bananas!"

After successfully fetching the provisions, having routed a marauding
band of juniors who were poking inquisitive fingers into the baskets,
the members of VA. returned to the form-room, closed the door, and gave
themselves up to festivity. The four girls from the hostel need have had
no fear of scarcity, for the others had brought ample to compensate for
their deficiency. By general consent all the cakes were pooled, set out
on hard-backed exercise books in lieu of plates, and handed round the
company. Bess, whose basket contained two thermos flasks, a dozen cheese
cakes, and some meringues, was felt to have brought a valuable
contribution. It seemed a new experience to be sitting at their desks,
drinking tea and eating cakes, instead of doing translation or writing
exercises.

"Pity the Snark didn't stop! She doesn't know what she's missing!"
remarked Joanna Powers, as she took a meringue.

"Oh, Kafoozalum!