the best we've ever had. If there are any girls here
who haven't done well before, now is the time for them to turn over a
new leaf and show us that they can work. At this crisis in the world's
affairs we don't want to bring up 'slackers'. Your fathers, uncles,
brothers, cousins have answered their country's call and gone to defend
Britain's honour, and you have been proud to see them go. The women of
the Empire have played their part as nobly as the men, and it is these
brave and splendid women whom you must try to imitate. Do you think they
would have been able to give the help they have given to their country
unless they had prepared their characters for it beforehand? I'm sure
not. It's in the classroom that we train ourselves for what we may do
afterwards. Every girl who tries her best in the little world of school
is learning her part for the big world afterwards. We hope it is going
to be a beautiful world when the war is over, but it can only be so if
we remember the sacrifices that have been made, and determine to be
worthy of those who gave up everything for us. 'A nation never rises
higher than its women.' So you, who are going to be some of its women,
must see to it that you raise and not lower the standard. It's a happy,
hopeful thought to feel that you're helping to push the world on; and
how splendid if we can think that The Gables is a centre from which real
helpfulness may radiate! Let us all join in trying to make it so. I'm
going to tell you now about some things we shall be busy with this term,
and I hope you will throw all your energies into them, and try your
utmost to make them a success."

Miss Kingsley passed in rapid review the general scheme of work for the
term for both seniors and juniors. It was a full programme, and included
a wide range of subjects, from lectures on Greek antiquities to Swedish
drill and rhythmic dancing. She was modern in her methods, and wished to
cultivate every side of a child's nature till she was old enough to
choose her own speciality. Lists of the various forms followed, and then
Miss Kingsley turned to what, in the estimation of some of the girls at
least, was the most important announcement of the afternoon.

"All members of the Sixth are appointed monitresses, and Lorraine
Forrester is head of the school."

A wave of excitement surged instantly through the room. Lorraine! They
had not in the least expected her to be chosen. So far she had seemed a
rather reti