all wholesome jests, fully realizes the exigencies of her peculiar
situation. Though in the seclusion of her home she may be bound by
many natural ties, family obligations cease entirely in the classroom.
If her sister is a mistress, she is a pupil, and therefore bound to
side with her Form through all those trials of tact known as 'thick
and thin'. Have I not put the thing in a nutshell, O Gwendolen mine?"

Gwen could not help laughing, for there was undoubted truth in Netta's
argument. Winnie would, she knew, treat her with the utmost
impartiality, probably even more strictly, owing to their
relationship. It would certainly never do if she were to be regarded
as a sneak in the Form, ready to report misdoings and make mischief;
such a character would be intolerable to her. Winnie must fight her
own battles, and she would throw in her luck with her peers.

"You needn't be afraid of me!" she protested. "I'd be the very last to
blab; and I like fun as well as anybody."

"I knew it, oh, altogether-wise-in-judgment! Have I not proved thee?"
returned Netta, with a meaning look in her eyes which only Gwen
understood. "Now, having established thy reputation, I will return to
my original thingumgigs."

"Oh, Netta, stop being a lunatic, and tell us how you mean to tackle
Grinnie!" interposed Minna.

"Well, my little dears, it's extremely simple, but a work of genius
all the same. Genius always is simple, I believe! Behold my mapping
book with its virgin page. Behold also this spotless piece of blotting
paper. I turn it over, and hey, presto! a transformation. Here's my
map, nicely done in pencil, with all the names marked. Nothing to do
but copy it, you see. At the least approach of danger I turn it with
its most innocent side up."

The girls sniggered their admiration. Gwen could not approve, but she
did not protest. It was not her business to preach, so she told
herself. As long as she did her own work honestly, she could not begin
her career in the Fifth by assuming the very character she had just
denied. Minna and Annie, inspired by Netta's brilliant idea, were
copying the map on to pieces of blotting paper as fast as they could.

"It wouldn't be a bad plan to trace it the wrong way, and then rub it
off like a transfer," suggested Millicent.

"Just a little too clever, most astute one! Grinnie comes round to
look, and she'd think you'd got on too quickly, and want to know the
reason why. You're bright, Millicent C