s of the Upper School amount to L1, 2_s._, and those of
the Lower School to L3, 11_s._ I asked how last year's funds were spent,
and found the whole went in hiring Pompadour wigs and other things that
were worn by the Sixth. Only three Juniors took part in the
performances, and they were actually obliged to provide their own
costumes, because there was no money left to buy materials. Now, I ask
you, is such a state of affairs to be tolerated any longer?"

"No!" shrieked a chorus of voices.

"The Dramatic Guild is no exception. All the other societies are equally
bad. The funds ought to be applied to the general good; and if they're
only spent on a few, I call it misappropriation of a trust. In America
and in the Colonies our watchword was always 'Liberty'; and we took care
that all got their rights. Are you Briarcroft girls going to let this
injustice go on, or will you all join together and make a stand for fair
practices? In the name of Liberty, I ask you!"

As Gipsy warmed to her subject her brown eyes flashed and sparkled, and
the whole of her dark face seemed afire with enthusiasm. She looked a
convincing little figure as she stood there, urging the rights of her
schoolfellows, and hardly a girl in the room but was carried away by
her arguments. Instinctively the Juniors felt they had found a leader.

[Illustration: THE LOWER SCHOOL FIND A LEADER]

"I put it to the meeting. Are you ready to combine and stand together?
Those who are in favour, kindly hold up their hands."

Such a clamour arose from the play-room that the noise drifted upstairs
to the ears of the Seniors, who sat all unconscious of the rebellion
that was being preached below. With memories of Wat Tyler, Hampden,
Oliver Cromwell, the Seven Bishops, and other famous champions of the
commonweal fresh in their minds from their history books, the girls were
ready to take any measures suggested to them. There was scarcely a
dissenting voice. Enthusiasm fires enthusiasm. Gipsy's speech seemed an
inspiration, and everybody was agog with interest.

"She's right!"

"We've been kept down too long!"

"I always said it was monstrously unfair!"

"The Seniors will have to give way!"

"We'll get our rights now!"

"I wonder nobody thought of it before!"

The talk burst out on all sides, for every one was eager to have her own
say, and discuss the matter with her neighbour. Even the First Form
children had followed the arguments, and were as keen as any