hirty the school was assembled, and at a quarter to eight the
Seniors entered. They marched around the room and up to the platform
singing: "God rest ye, Merry Gentlemen." Fanny's clear voice was so
above the others that the girls and teachers began to whisper among
themselves. There was a lull of expectancy as they began "Good King
Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephan."

Angela, who was dressed as the King, sang her part:

"Haste thee, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowest it telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where, and what, his dwelling?"

With so much expression that the deficiency of her voice was overlooked.

But it was Fanny, in her green page suit that was to score the triumph
of the evening. She stepped out a little from the others, when her turn
came to answer the King.

"Sire, he lives a good league hence--
Underneath the mountain.
Right beyond the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."

Her notes were full and beautiful, and the sympathetic quality of her
voice enchanted her audience. They broke out into enthusiastic applause.

"I told you so," Betty whispered as Fanny bowed her thanks.

The rest of the evening may be truly said to have belonged to Fanny.
Even the Seniors' class song was hurriedly applauded, so that she might
return to the platform.

The girls made her sit down at the piano when the carols were over, and
sing them song after song.

At nine o'clock, Betty insisted that she stop long enough to have some
refreshments.

"You all don't really think I can sing, do you?" she asked seriously,
when they had joined Polly and Lois and Angela.

"Of course we do," everybody told her with enthusiasm.

"You've swallowed a bird all right," Betty laughed.

Fanny shook her head. So much praise was embarrassing.

"Maybe I did," she said shyly, "but it was probably nothing but a poor
no account sparrow."

CHAPTER XII

CHRISTMAS

The two-seated sleigh jingled merrily up the drive and stopped at the
carriage block. Polly and Lois jumped out and turned to help Mrs.
Farwell.

"Home again," Polly exclaimed, joyfully looking around her with
pardonable pride, for the splendid old house they were about to enter
was her own, and every corner of it held the dearest of memories.

Lois and her mother were no less delighted to return to it. It had been
Uncle Roddy's suggestion that they all spend Christmas there, and every
one had heartily agreed to it