had caught the infection, and one after
another various brothers and sisters had sickened with it, so that for
about three months the whole family had been in quarantine. In her case
the old adage "absence makes the heart grow fonder" was undoubtedly
true. She came back more devoted to Gipsy than ever, ready to hang upon
her words, and yield her somewhat the same fealty as a squire of the
Middle Ages rendered to the knight to whom, by the laws of chivalry, he
was bound. It was well for Gipsy to have so firm an adherent, for her
present position in the school caused her to be greatly in need of
stanch friends.

CHAPTER XIII

A Leader of the Opposition

GIPSY had called the General Meeting of the Magazine department of the
Guild because she honestly wished her journal to be a representative
organ for the whole of the Lower School. A member of each Form was on
the Committee, but she thought suggestions would probably be offered by
others, and could then be discussed and settled by popular vote. At four
o'clock on the Friday afternoon all the Juniors flocked to the
dressing-room, for there was a whisper abroad that changes were in the
wind, and that it behoved everybody who had an interest in the subject
to be present and take sides. Dilys Fenton, as President of the Guild,
opened the proceedings with a few introductory remarks; then Gipsy, as
editress, read her report on the Magazine.

"Members are invited to suggest any fresh features that they consider
would be advantageous for the forthcoming summer term, and to offer any
criticisms on the past number." So she concluded.

"I think we may all declare ourselves perfectly satisfied with this
report," commented Dilys. "Our editress has worked hard, and the
_Journal_ is a unique success, which speaks for itself. Personally I
can suggest no improvements, but members are of course invited to give
their opinions."

There was a moment's pause, then Maude Helm stood up.

"Our lady chairman and fellow members!" she began airily, "I am glad to
have this opportunity of raising a protest against an abuse which I
consider is beginning to creep into our Guild, and which, unchecked, may
be liable to lead to very serious results. You will remember that this
Guild was founded in consequence of the very unjust and unfair treatment
of the Lower School by the Seniors. This tyrannical attitude of the
monitresses had been long resented by the Juniors, and though one new
girl