guarantee to take you, and
to see you safe home after the performance," said Miss Joyce to Lesbia.
"You'd like it, wouldn't you?"

"Like it? I'd be the envy of the whole school! It's the biggest piece of
luck in my life!" cried Lesbia, with shining eyes.

CHAPTER XVII

A Hard Term

Late autumn brought the anniversary of Lesbia's upheaval from Denham
Terrace. She was now nearly "sweet seventeen", and in some respects at
any rate felt rather grown-up. It seemed immeasurably more than a year
since she had settled down at 28 Park Road. She was beginning to look
back upon her life with the Hiltons as a remote period of childhood.
Some episodes in it were very sweet, and were changing their aspect now
they were viewed from a distance. Paul's hand on her shoulder when he
called her "little sister", the children's arms round her neck as they
hugged her good night, the kiss that Minnie always came to give her in
bed, these were memories that increased in value as she grew more
capable of appreciating their true worth. Lesbia was very slowly
learning a great many things, some pleasant and some unpleasant, and
among those that hurt was the realization of her conduct in deserting
Minnie at such an awkward pinch, and leaving her to struggle with the
children on that Atlantic voyage. Well! She had made a sudden choice,
and had thrown in her lot with Kingfield High School. She would at least
do her best in the line which she had elected for herself. To Lesbia
this "best" meant working hard at her prep, which she still detested,
and taking an active part as leader in all the various games and
societies, a role which she enjoyed very much. A wider opportunity was
opening for her, however, and one in which she had a far more difficult
task to fulfil.

The Christmas term-end festivities tired Miss Tatham out. For a long
time she had not been strong, and had been struggling to keep up with
the hundred and one duties expected from the principal of a big school.
During the holidays she collapsed, and her doctor insisted upon several
months' entire rest. The governors of the school, called in committee to
face the sudden emergency, appointed a locum tenens to rule in her stead
for a term.

Miss Ormerod, who thus came in a hurry to fill up the gap, was a B.A.,
and had had high school experience--too much so, the girls decided after
a few days of her acquaintance. She was one of those people who are
clever, but tactless. She ha