he afternoon of the bazaar was a great event at Briarcroft.
Stalls had been put up in the lecture hall, and were prettily draped
with muslin, while the walls of the room were decorated with flags,
festoons of laurel leaves, and Chinese lanterns hung from wires
stretched across the platform. The flower stall was a particular
success, with its great bunches of daffodils, narcissus, violets, and
other spring blossoms, and pots of tulips, lily of the valley, and
hyacinths. Leonora had for once risen to the occasion. She had written
home to her mother for contributions, and Mrs. Parker had responded
generously, sending a quantity of beautiful flowers and pot plants to be
sold, and lending some of the finest palms in her conservatory to help
to deck the room.

By three o'clock everything was in order for patrons, and really the
arrangements reflected great credit upon the Committee. All the stalls
were well laden with articles. Some of the Seniors had been busy making
beautiful things. Doreen Tristram, who was taking lessons in china
painting, brought some charming little teacups and saucers, painted with
sprays of flowers. Helen Roper sent some excellent woodcarving, and
there was every description of needlecraft--traycloths in fine drawn
threadwork, doilys, cushions, tea cosies, nightdress cases, table
centres, and other dainty bits of embroidery. By the appointed hour,
groups of parents and friends began to arrive, and the hall was soon
full. The Lady Mayoress of Greyfield had consented to open the sale, and
made an excellent speech, explaining the object for which the money was
being raised, and urging the claims of the home for waifs and strays.
She herself set a good example by purchasing a number of articles at
various stalls, and the visitors followed suit liberally.

The girls hovered about, picking and choosing what they should buy,
according to the state of their purses or their individual tastes. A
novel feature, much patronized by the Juniors, was a Surprise Packet
table. All kinds of tempting little articles were wrapped up in gay
tissue paper, and purchased somewhat on the system of "buying a pig in a
poke", an arrangement that at any rate afforded great amusement when the
parcels were untied. The stalls soon began to exhibit a welcome
bareness, and the stall-holders felt the fullness of their bags with
satisfaction. Towards four o'clock everybody showed a tendency to
migrate in the direction of the cafe chant