iors never, never, never, will be slaves!"

CHAPTER VI

American Fudge

THE events narrated in the last chapter had made an epoch in Briarcroft
history. Henceforward the Lower School meant to manage its own affairs,
and it set to work at once to settle things upon a firm basis. Needless
to say, Gipsy was the heroine of the hour. Except for a half-dozen who
envied her popularity, the girls recognized that the revolution was
entirely owed to her suggestion, and they were ready to acknowledge her
as their leader. She took her honours modestly. Having accomplished what
she had aimed at, she was quite ready to retire from the position of
dictator until some other good cause needed a champion. After several
meetings and much discussion, the Juniors decided that instead of
founding a number of separate societies for photography, athletics,
acting, &c., they would institute one united Guild, which should include
all the various forms of school activity, to be covered by one
subscription, payable each term.

"It will be far better than dividing things up," said Hetty Hancock,
"because sometimes we want to spend more on one thing than on another,
and it's awkward to have to vote the funds of the Photographic Society
over to the Dramatic, or vice versa. I think we should manage all right
this way. We must elect a Committee, of course, and officers. For
President, I beg to nominate Gipsy Latimer. She deserves it."

"Yes! Gipsy! Gipsy!" agreed the girls.

But Gipsy shook her head, and like Oliver Cromwell waved away the
tempting offer of a crown.

"No," she said firmly; "I've only been a fortnight in the school, and I
don't feel up to the post. Better choose someone as President who
understands Briarcroft ways better than I do. I suggest Dilys Fenton.
She's the oldest girl in the Upper Fourth, and from what I hear she's
been here one of the longest. I'll serve on the Committee, if you like,
and be of any use I can, but you want an old-established Briarcroft-ite
as President. I don't know any of your arrangements yet about cricket or
tennis, and I should always be making mistakes."

The wisdom of Gipsy's remarks appealed to the girls. It was certainly
more suitable to choose as President somebody who understood the school
ways. They appreciated the motive of her refusal, however; and her
generosity in thus standing aside made her, if anything, more popular
than before. They insisted upon electing her to the post of S