lar picnics: the Fifth and Sixth
invariably combined, as did the First and Second; and the Third, which
like the Fourth consisted of Upper and Lower divisions, was large enough
to have its own outing. To miss the annual excursion would be felt by
any girl as a terrible omission, almost as bad as missing the
prize-giving or the Christmas soiree.

Hetty and Dilys hastened therefore to Miss Poppleton's study, to make
quite sure that on such an important occasion Gipsy should not be left
behind. They stated their case with considerable eagerness and
enthusiasm.

"We'd pay all Gipsy's share between us, only, please, we'd rather she
didn't know anything about that part of it," ended Dilys, who did the
most of the talking.

Miss Poppleton received the suggestion with a coldness that was
particularly damping.

"I can't decide anything at present," she said briefly. "I doubt if
Gipsy can be spared. Her new duties keep her occupied in looking after
the little ones, and Saturday is a busy day. No, Dilys, I can't
promise. Gipsy must remember it is impossible for her to have
everything the same as other girls, and she must not expect it."

"Oh, she didn't ask us to ask you! She doesn't know anything about it.
It was our idea entirely," put in Hetty hastily.

"I'm glad to hear it," returned Miss Poppleton dryly, and dismissed the
girls without further ceremony.

"I don't believe she means to let her go," declared Dilys indignantly,
as they walked down the passage. "Poppie's taken an absolute spite
against Gipsy lately. But I'll be even with her! I've got an idea. Let's
make the picnic a Guild affair, and persuade all the Lower School to
join together and do the same excursion on the same day. Then Gipsy'd be
bound to go, to help to look after those kids! Besides, she's the
Secretary."

"Stunning! I believe we shall compass it. Only don't say what's our
object, or Maude Helm or somebody will be putting a spoke in our wheel
perhaps. We'll call a meeting of the Guild and propose it. You bring it
up, and I'll second it."

Dilys's and Hetty's suggestion was very well received by the Guild. The
idea of a big united picnic sounded attractive, so the motion was
carried unanimously. It was of course necessary to refer the matter to
Miss Poppleton and the mistresses, but they were not likely to offer
objections to a scheme favoured by the whole of the Lower School. It
would indeed be easier for the mistresses to co-operate than for