Regiment of Women

d hair as she went, much in the manner of a countryman squaring for a fight, opened the door, after a tap

r's baton, emphasising with it the points of the story she was evidently telling. A map and some portraits were pinned to the blackboard beside her, and the children's heads were grouped, three and four together, over pictures apparently taken from the open portfolio lying before her on the desk. But their eyes were on Miss Durand, and the varying

rds. Oh, go on, Miss D

orbed, went on and the c

eir places-to be obviously and hugely enjoying themselves-in school hours-and the

denied that Alwynne, at that period of her career, was lax and lavish in speech,

Are you awar

and the class

. Miss Vigers's presence intimidated: each peeping personality retired, snail-like, into its schoolgirl shell. With a curious yet distinct consciousness of guilt, they edged away from the two women, huddling sheepis

looked down at Miss Vigers from her hi

ers! How you

to attract your attention for some

clock. The hands stoo

ked penitently, "i

he class, all e

licent!" She singled out a dreamy child, who was taking surreptitious advantage of the inte

reminded-in goes a penny to the mission-and each time you forget to remind me, you do the

nodded, seriou

urned to

uddle. Children-pick up those pictures: at least-Helen and Milly! Go back to your desks,

ying quite clearly that she considered th

a's eyes

, Miss Durand. It's nearly one. Miss Hartill

rmured Alwyn

t Henrietta caught it. Justifiably, she detested slang. She stiffe

sure it rang?" (This to Henrietta, who never slackened her supervision of the relays of prefects responsible f

gs together, and go straight to the Lower Second. I'll come with you. Miss Vigers, I

g, audible enough to any one less absorbed than Alwynne and her class had been, boomed for its last time that morning, the prolonge

rave-distinct

iss Hartill at once," she r

nrietta called after her. "Miss Ha

ication in her voice startled Al

tand! You said

me that she should do so no longer. Miss Hartill is not accustome

eyebrows and rega

tell me that? Are you her m

e regrets, as well as her profound sense of the apology due to the formidable Miss Hartill, were shrivelled in the white heat of her anger at the tone Henrietta Vigers was permitting herself. She was as much hurt as horrified by the revelation of an antipathy she had been unconsci

he veiled rebuke of her ma

are doing, Miss Durand? You keep the children away from their lesson-you alter the s

ng," interrupted Alwynne, between courtesy and i

ll not be tolerated, Miss Durand, in this, or any school. It is not your place to make innovations. I was horrified just now when I came in. The c

's chin

rdly see that it is your business

ou for your own goo

u speak to me in such a tone, y

tta he

you are new to

u no right to

ook a step

nce you came to the school you have been impossi

told," said A

You neither ask

ng herself, but she feared that silent contempt would be lost on Miss Vigers. Also, such an attitude was not easy

countere

obliged to undeceive her; th

y! I intend to. I hope I k

me

h a little high-pitched laug

bsence I take her pl

l, I was tol

e younger mistresses

a housemaid. Will you let me get to my d

a, cheeks flaming, chin i

nsolence, was, she realised, to some extent justified. She had, she knew, exceeded her powers, but she had not stopped to consider whether Alwynne would know that she had done so, or, knowing, have the courage to act upon that

Miss Marsham," she remarke

ne tu

Miss Hartill doesn't, I

d Henriett

eless, and I'm sorry. I'm going straight down to Miss Hartill to tell her so. And if she slangs me-it's all right. And if Miss Marsham slangs

and with her head held high, and a dignity that a friendly word