The Leader of the Lower School

illio

ual air, and whistling a jaunty tune which she fondly hoped was expressive of superior indifference to news of any kind. Two girls sitting reading by

nything decent?"

rd, and having a most interesting piece of information to communicate, she did not intend to make it too

irs. I was passing the Seniors' door, a

el

t concerned

partic

going to

ng worth know

ow you take it," said B

ddie, you get

up, s

in that moment her chance was lost, for the door opened suddenly, and in burst Hetty Hancock, lik

There's actually a new

wadays," said Lennie. "Why didn't she wait til

shipwrecked, like I

far. Her home's only about ten miles off

the Parkers of Ribblestone A

ly don'

ed to score at last by her superior informatio

most enormousl

es! And Leonora'

's an h

heiress o

a millionairess, in

you, Yanke

isn't it?" said Norah Bell. "A millionaire

" said Daisy Scatcherd; "the lovelies

'sailor' here!" commented Dilys. "You needn't ima

olutely unlimite

s and walnut creams by the po

and what dormito

last new girl," said Gipsy. "I'm

ur little nose will be

Briarcroft! Doesn't

fuss over Leonora, even if she can buy chocolates by the pound. I'll wait

onairess", as they nicknamed her, was a subject of much speculation, and a whole row of noses was flattened against the panes of the Juniors' sitting-room window to witness he

and a big picture hat full of feathers!" sai

y a station cab!" said Norah Bell. "W

she certainly did not answer the expectations which had been formed of her. Sh

e to her at all. She's not one half as nice as Gipsy. By th

ook her seat at the table, loo

u been?" whi

ved out of our dormitory to make way for Leonora. Mis

Is that girl t

cour

re are y

floor. The boxes are all piled at on

't think Poppie was capable of s

xtremely grateful to have that attic, so I'm informed

oss-questioned her as to whether she could remember any possible clue by which her father's whereabouts might be traced. Gipsy had already told all she knew, so the fresh catechism only seemed

r me, and he will!" she said,

d-very bad indeed!" replied Miss Poppleton, with a dismal shake of her h

though she was, seemed to ta

o other place but this. If your father hadn't behaved so queerly, of course it would have been different. I'm very sorry, Gipsy-it's hard on a girl to be left like this. I wonder he could have the heart to do it. And it's hard on my sister too. She

d the outward and visible sign of her forlorn circumstances. Both Miss Poppleton's uncompromising remarks and Miss Edith's well-meant sympathy hurt her equally, for both expressed the same doubt of her father's honour. Not until that afternoon had Gipsy thoroughly realized how utte

erence to her schoolfellows' comments, good or bad. This attitude did not satisfy Briarcroft standards, and by the time she had been there a week she had been weighed in the balance of public opinion and found decidedly wanting. She was the exact opposite of what the boarders had expected. Far from being liberally disposed, and inclined to spend her superabundant pocket-money for the g

day. "She borrowed my penknife three times this morning, and when I asked her what

complained Norah Bell, "and she ne

he list of Leonora's crimes. "When I handed her my bo

pig

s plenty of p

as much as she

millionairess if you're a miser at th

sing that Leonora won no favour. A few mercenary spirits, encouraged by the reputation of her millions, made tentativ

ed the Bank of England!" declared Lennie.

e 1st of March. Aren't we Junior boarders going to get up anythin

Miss Edie if I was on the verge of bankruptcy. I vote

king paper and pencil to write down names. "E

think she

gener

e'll ha

ce!" said Dilys indignantly. "She

ow you're goin

out unless she feels inclined,

me. I'll manage it b

wkward for Gipsy? You know she can't give a

e care of Gipsy, you'll see-make it easy for her,

er than I thou

depths of my genius yet, my g

Here sh

and stood leaning over the high fender, s

ack without further delay. "It's to buy a present for Miss Edit

ied Leonora cautiously. "W

" replied a ch

red Leonora. "Perhaps it would really be better if

so it would be more appropriate, after all, to leave you both out of it, and let it be an old girls' gi

ipsy, was sparing Leonora too much. But Dilys gave her a withering look, which so pla

something on your own account," suggest

joining with the rest of you," agreed L

, then, and we'll ask Mi

get it myse

g has to be done through Miss L

re was one of yours that Miss

right. Lennie, put down that Leonora Parker want

lling edition-not ruinous, certainly, to the purse strings; so comparing tha

terwards, as she added up her list. "It's a shame t

y friend-I've only begun!" chuckled

but which she hoped would be the undoing of Leonora. She went to the mistresses' room

We've decided on that, unless you know of anything she'd like better. Leonora

ped the new pupil's economical tendencies. "Then

setti's poems, but she said nothing ab

ng about at tea-time yesterday. I remember Miss Edith said how immensely she would like to see it. No doubt

xpensive?" enquir

is a mere nothing-no more than sixpence to most girl

music lesson," put

t the clock. "I must write now to catch the post. I think I may venture to send Leonora's commission without consulting her. Sh

rubbing her hands

onomy is going to cost you rather more than you bargained for. Miss Lindsay's an absol

o the others, but exacted

I believe Leonora would be capable of countermanding the order if she

pping jok

s fault, though. Sh

e! We understand t

smelling leather, and the edition of Christina Rossetti's poems, a large and handsome volume full of beautiful

ant this edition, of course? I knew I could hardly be mistaken. Miss Edith will be particularly pleased that a new girl should show such appreciation. The pictures are perfect gems. We'll wrap the

onsibility for having given the order. Pride, however, at the sight of the sneer at the corners of Dilys Fenton's mouth, came t

give you the money now, please. I'm glad it's the edition Miss Edith wants," and ta

kled Dilys. "It'll do her

s Edie's such a dear, anyone would want to give her nice things who'd got the money," si

ugh she isn't liberal in the way of

I care about. I think it's sickening to try and truckle to her because she's so rich. If you wanted to get anything ou

sermon!" said Da

over her, I was quite disgusted. A girl ought to be judged on her own merits, not by what her father's got. If she shows herse

!" cried He