appeal to her as it
does to us," said Dorothy, at last, lifting her violin to her shoulder
and rising to her feet. "Shall we try it again, Win? And, Gwen, dear,
have you finished your picture yet for the exhibition?"

"Just finished, Dolly. And I forgot my errand here. Miss Muriel sent
me to tell you girls that the dressmaker was in the sewing-room,
giving last fittings to our frocks. She wants us to go there right
after practice hour, for we must not lose our turn. I wanted to wear
that beautiful one Mamma sent me from Paris but 'No' was the word.
'There will be no change in our custom. Each girl will wear a plain
white lawn Commencement frock, untrimmed, and with no decoration
except a sash of each Form's colors.' So there we are, same old
six-pences, and dowds I think, every one of us."

But when those few days intervening had passed and great Oak Knowe
was alight with its hundreds of daintily robed girls, there was not a
single "dowd" among them; nor one, whether unknown "charity" scholar
or otherwise who felt envy of any difference between themselves or
others.

"What a glorious day! What crowds are here and coming. Assembly
and all the rooms near it will be packed closer than ever! Oh!
I'm so happy I can't keep still! No more lessons, no more
early-to-bed-and-rise business for three delightful months! There's
father! There he is--right in the front row of guests' seats. Right
amongst the 'Peers,' where he belongs by right!" cried Winifred,
turning Dorothy's head around that she might see the object of her own
great excitement. "See, see! He's looking our way. He's discovered
us! And he's awfully disappointed about you. He never forgave Miss
Tross-Kingdon that she wouldn't let you take that Ice Palace trip
with us, just because you'd broken a few rules. But never you mind,
darling. Though this is the end of Oak Knowe for us together, it isn't
the end of the world--nor time. Father shall bring me to you, he
shall, indeed! Just think how it would help my education to visit
the States! But, hark! The bugle is blowing--fall into line!"

From their peep-hole in the hall Dorothy, also, could see the guests
taking seats; and clutching Winifred's sleeve, whispered:

"Look! Look! Away there at the back of Assembly, close to the
door--that's Jim! That's Ephy! Oh! isn't it good to see them? For no
matter now, I'm not without my own home folks any more than the rest
of you. After banquet I'll introduce you if I get a cha