Regiment of Women

ed this or that memorable audacity in confutation, but Alwynne herself knew better. When her impulsiveness had jockeyed her into an uncomfortable

d all kinds of music. But Alwynne, half-an-hour later, on her way to Miss Hartill and her overdue apology, was bound also to be feeling more like a naughty schoolgirl than a mistress of

ard discussed, nevertheless, from every conceivable and inconceivable point of view, with that accompany

all woman, harshly outlined by the white panelled door, against which she leaned lazily as she quizzed the roomful of women. Alwynne told herself that she was not at all impressed.... This the Miss Hartill of a hundred legends? This the Olympian to whom three-fourths of the school said its prayers? Who had split the staff into an enthusiastic majority and a minority that concealed its dislike? Queer! Alwynne, shrugging her shoulders over the intricacies of a school's enthusiasms, had leaned back in her chair to watch, between amusement and co

look her way a second time. But the impression had remained, and Alwynne, obscure in her newness and her corner, found herself reconsidering this Miss Hartill, more rou

cted were the classes with which Miss Hartill had most to do, that the mistresses, too, were working with unusual energy, and that Miss Vigers was less in evidence than heretofore; that, in short, Miss Hartill's return was making a difference. Insensibly she slipped into the fashion of being slightly in awe of her-was daily and unde

and, according to Miss Vigers, excessively indignant Miss Hartill. She looked forward without enthusiasm to that acquaintance. She did not know what she shou

all, and she waited, uncomfortably

, Durand! What an extraordinary time to

rtill came forward, polite, unsmiling. She did not offer her han

her. It had been easy to arrange the conversation beforehand, but Miss Hartill in the flesh was di

was at her prettiest at a disadvantage. She had an air of shedding eigh

pressed

ss Durand," sh

blankly. "You see, I ca

that," said Clare,

ght not have been a twinkle in her colleague'

y and truly I didn't. Honestly, it was an accident. I thought I ought to come and apologise. Truly, I'

a room effectively. Clare had not been unaware of her secure manner. Her present collapse was t

th me. Miss Vigers said you wou

ought to know

s anothe

sorry," said Alwy

u, Miss

ool of oneself, does one, Miss Hartill? You know how it feels. And it's my first post, and I did m

said Clare

there'

ng that," said Clare,

ed up so warily that C

s Durand-the other two?

e's sure to tell Miss Marsham. I suppose I was rude, but she did make me so ma

," correc

d you," said Alwynne,

ered," mur

ction. "But Miss Vigers--I ask you, Miss Hartill, what wo

p," said Cla

Alwynne waved her

espectful-"has Napoleon any traceable co

r story. "You see, I was giving them Elocution-they'

e no

they knew practically nothing about Napoleon! Marengo-Talleyrand-never heard

n a nutshell!"

though, to keep those children at Latin exercises, and the exports of Lower Tooting, and Bills of Attainder in the reign of Queen Anne, before they know about things like Napoleon, and Homer, and the Panama Canal? Wouldn't you rather know about the life of Buddha than the war of J

u'll get over it." Then, with a twinkle: "Reform's an excelle

e defe

an unhap

lwynne at last, as one making a brilliant

hen interrupted them. Alwynne j

nt cook. After all, what's a shilling's worth of crockery a week comp

herself?" Alwynne ventured t

ed suddenl

I haven't h

door, reappearing with

he's cut her hand. Oh, lavishly! Most careless!

reassuring! And how it warmed the cockles of one's heart to her! Her lips twitched mischievously as she looked from the disconcerted mistress to the sniffing

she spoke, and Clare, obediently tearing linen into strips, considered her critically. The girl was capable then, as well as amusing.... That tourniquet might not be professional, but it was at least effective.... The bleeding was stopping.... Very good of her to toil over Bag

l safety-pin, settled the sling and stepped back

or, I think," she said decisively. "Shall I come with you

other. "Her mother lived quite close,

, more in decision than appeal, and Clare acquiescing, she fetch

clutched high, eyeing the crowded table with distaste, an

very much obliged to you, Miss Durand for seeing to Bagot. I'm no good at that s

won't be able to use her

ical air of resenting the necessity for concer

loathe charwomen. She might

said Alwynne hopefully, drawi

shiv

y! It's all

is." Alwynne exami

e her a s

ore. Never mind, Miss Durand, I

ed the hint. She

gs, I suppose," she

ng out va

It's Bagot's

cooking (Elsbeth's my aunt, you know), but I can make omelets--" The door gave suddenly and Alwynne fell forward

-" she sought delicately for a tactful phrase: "if you would perhaps like to

g to cook my lunc

on't like omelets,"

aughed

'm too hungry to refuse. But I see th

roke in i

nde honorable-at least,

e pacified her; then, as she l

Miss H

to make one f

e's fa

otten Mis

twin

corch-I'll see what I ca

nd was soon sharing the omelet and marvelling at herself for being where she was,

to herself that Alwynne Durand, with her enthusiasms, her incoherencies, and her capacities had certainly caught her difficult fancy. She liked the girl's manner; its compound of shyness and audacity, deference and independence pleased her sophisticated taste. She found her racy and original, and, in the exertion of drawing her out, was herself at her best. A brilliant talker, she chose to listen, and soon heard all there was to hear of Alwynne's short history; of her mother's sister, Elsbeth Loveday (Clare pricked up her ears at the name), who had reared her from babyhood; of her schooldays; her crude young likes and dislikes; her hero-worships and passionate, vague a

said, as she sped her from the door. "I suppos

ook her a

Would you like me to, rea

e la

fun. Whatever wou

mind," began A

temp

rk? Haven't

overwhel

ish you'd let me. I would love to. You must have s

eally like to--" Clare hesit

was wholly

ery much indeed," said