he sake of the school," agreed
Bessie Manners.

It was decided to turn the anniversary into a kind of floral fete, to
be held in the large cricket field. There were to be morris dances, a
maypole dance, a procession of decorated bicycles, and numerous
athletic competitions. Tea, coffee, and lemonade would be served at
tables on the ground, and flowers and sweets could be carried round in
baskets and sold during the afternoon. It was wonderful when once the
ball had been set rolling how quickly offers of help flowed in. The
girls' parents and friends approved of the idea of a "Rodenhurst" cot
for the Convalescent Home, and were most kind in their contributions.
Enough cakes were promised to provide amply for afternoon tea. Bessie
Manners's mother undertook to send a supply of ices, and a generous
store of sweets and flowers seemed forthcoming. To have such an
excellent mutual object to work for seemed to unite all the members of
the school, and especially to break down the barrier between Seniors
and Juniors which had hitherto existed. While before it had hardly
been considered etiquette for the Sixth and Fifth to talk to those in
the Lower Forms, they might now be seen conferring on quite pleasant
terms about the gymkhana, comparing notes on subscriptions, and making
arrangements for flower selling and sweet vending.

Considering the large amount of home preparation that was expected
from her in view of the forthcoming examinations, Gwen found she had
set herself a task in undertaking any more work, but by arranging her
time very carefully, she managed to perform one set of duties without
neglecting another. She and Lesbia collected fifteen and ninepence for
the cot among their friends in Skelwick, and wrote down the various
items with much satisfaction in a notebook supplied for the purpose.
The Gascoynes did not possess bicycles, so could not join the cycle
parade, but Lesbia was to sing in one of the glees, and Gwen meant to
enter for certain of the athletic sports. Her long arms and legs
would, she hoped, stand her in good stead in a contest of running or
jumping, and even if she did not win a prize, it was worth competing
for the mere fun of the thing. Giles and Basil were scarcely less
excited, for the Boys' Preparatory Department was to have its share in
the celebrations, and they looked forward to showing their prowess in
public. They spent much of their spare time in training for various
Olympic games, an occ