not feel justified in awarding her a scholarship. I am
exceedingly sorry, but fear this decision must be final."

So there, as far as the College was concerned, the matter ended. At
school, however, Claudia with an obstinate look on her face weathered
the storm of Miss Janet's contempt.

"After all the trouble I took in coaching you! It's really too bad!
You've ruined your own career, and no one but yourself to thank for it!
Why, the scholarship was as good as gained! You'd so easily have passed
the exam. It was all arranged with Miss Halden, and you've spoilt the
whole thing with your carelessness. You might at least have the grace to
say that you're sorry!"

"I'm very sorry, Miss Janet," said Claudia in an apathetic voice.

The mistress glanced at her keenly.

"I doubt if you really are! I can't make you out! I'm disgusted with the
whole affair. One gets very little thanks for trying to help people!"

Claudia, in terrible disgrace, retired sobbing. Later on, however, she
poured confidences into Lorraine's ear.

"I'm sorry of course to disappoint Miss Janet, but I can't tell you how
relieved I am, really! I never wanted to go, and that's the fact. I'd
have _hated_ to be a kindergarten teacher! I'd rather go on the land if
I leave home at all, but--but----"

"Claudia!" began Lorraine, with sudden enlightenment, "were you going to
be _home-sick_?"

"I suppose so. I'm fond of the children, you know, though I get fed up
with them sometimes. It would take a very strong magnet to draw me away.
Perhaps if something really _fascinating_ offered, I'd want to go--but
not for Kindergarten! No thanks! Some other girl may get the scholarship
instead of me, and she's welcome to it. After all, home is a very nice
place."

"It certainly is. I don't want to leave mine just at present," agreed
Lorraine reflectively.

CHAPTER XV

An Academy Picture

With the beginning of a new term two very important events happened in
Lorraine's little world. Mervyn was sent to Redfern College, and Morland
went into training. Mervyn's exodus was really somewhat of a relief, for
he had been getting rather out of hand lately, and had waxed so
obstreperous on occasion that his father had decided to pack him off at
once for a taste of the discipline of a public school. Morland, who was
now eighteen, went away in high spirits. On the whole he was tired of
lounging about at home. He had reached the age when the boy is passing
into ma