The Luckiest Girl in the School

eat

s-book in the other, and an array of bills spread out on the table in front of her. "Children, do you hear what I say? The war will make a great differe

collections!" suggested Percy flippantly. "It must tot up to qui

t a reproachfu

erstand business matters. I must discuss them with somebody. As I said before,

rnal. "Here you are! There's a whole article on War Economies. It says you can halve your expenses if you only try. It gives ten different recip

for years. I've read that article, and it may be practicable for other people, but certainly not for us. Oh, dea

We were all born here!" o

d Percy. "They laid on an average three-quarte

ell you to turn them over. You're mixing them all up, tiresome boy! Don't touch them again! It's no use trying to discuss bus

always the very last resource. Matters must have reached a crisis, Winona thought, if they were obliged

really leave Highfield?" she

lls come in. It'll soon fizzle out again! Don't you fret yourself. Things will jog on as they always

be in earnest," said Winona meditativ

prop, and though it flattered her sense of importance, it had put a row of wrinkles on her girlish forehead. At fifteen she seemed much older than Percy at sixteen. No one ever dreamt of taking Percy seriously; he was one of those jolly, easy-going, happy-go-lucky, unreliable people who

oor, had a separate side entrance on to the lawn, leading through a small ante-room where boots and coats and cricket bats and tennis rackets could be kept; the drawing-room had a luxurious ingle nook with cushioned seats, and all the bedrooms but two had a southern aspect. As for the big rambling garden, it was full of delightful old-world flowers that came up year after year: daffodils and violets and snow-flakes, and clum

it to others would be tragedy unspeakable. The fear that Aunt Harriet might recommend the family to leave Highfield was sufficient to darken her horizon indefinitely. That her mother ha

istence. Winona lived with a black spot dancing before her mental eyes. It was continually rising up and blotting out the sunshine. On the fourth morning appeared a letter addressed in an old-

it would be a splendid thing for you. If only I could consult somebody! I suppose girls nowadays will have to learn to support themse

mother?" interrupted Winona

ad the letter for yourself, as it concerns you. I always think she's hard on Percy, poor lad! I was afraid the children were too noisy the

already devou

bbey

ea

ust

In the circumstances I should not advise you to leave Highfield. ("Oh, thank goodness!" ejaculated Winona.) The expense of a removal would probably cancel what you would otherwise save. Neither should I recommend you to take Percy from Longworth College and send him daily to be coached by your parish curate. From my kno

if she remains at home. The new High School at Seaton is offering two open Scholarships to girls resident in the County, the examination for which is on September 8th. I propose that Winona enters for this examination, and that if she should be a successful candidate, she should come to live with me during the period of her attendance at the High School. The education is the best possible, the

be of some service, and hoping to h

rem

ffectio

Godmo

iet B

h an agitated gasp. The proposi

rse you won't even dream of it for an instant! I'd hate to

nd it really would be for the best. Miss Harmon's a poor teacher, and I'm sure your music, at any rate, is not a credit to h

t energy and determination, bringing into the fray all that force of character which her mother lacked. Poor Mrs. Woodward vacillated feebly-she was generally swayed by whoever was n

f her business affairs, and some of her private ones as well. She had confidence in his jud

Send her to Seaton by all means. What are you to do without her? Nonsense! Nobody's indispensable-especially a girl of fifteen

oodward settled the question in the affirmati

ent as the exodus of Winona ma

ed Percy. "You and Aunt Harriet in do

of the family. Oh! why couldn't mother have thought of some other way

the exam., you bet! You'll probably fail, and come whinin

ore spirit than that, thank you! And why should you imagine I'

"In my opinion you'll be returned like a bad halfpenny, or one of those articles 'of n

short skirts. "I'll sit at the end of the table, and pour out tea if mother has a headache, and

find you've exchanged King Log for King Stork. Oh, very well, just wait and see! It won't b

With the usual perversity of your sex you pursue a pig policy. When I venture to picture you seated at the board of your venerable aun

tic beast I've ever met!" d

n filled her with dismay, Percy's gibe at her probable failure touched her pride. Winona had always been counted as the clever member

t I can do if I take a

bject of clothing. Every post brought her boxes of p

hing you have on. Dear me, I think I'd better risk it! It would be such a nuisance to have to write for the patterns all over again, and how could I get your dresses fitted when you weren't here to be tried on? Miss Jones is at liberty now, and can come for a week's sewing, but she'll prob

ntended to win a scholarship, Winona b

ie scraping away at her violin in the evenings, or Letty strumming at scales. Think what a relief not to be obliged to

appreciatively. The

a copy-book. I wish I'd your chance; I'd stand Aunt Harriet for the sake of going to a big High Scho

bag of walnuts. "Remember that when you're still in all the bliss and sparkle of your teens, Winona'll be a mature and passée per

eer," retorted Winona, pelting

ther day that you des

y tram conductor, and punch tickets, or

girls, bag me for a stee

te of the scholarship examination. The ten days were very busy ones, for there seemed much to be done in the way of preparation. Miss

hes ready made when I'm

y Miss Harmon were home, I'd have asked her to coach you. I'm afraid she'll be disappointed at your leaving, but of course she can't expect to keep you for ever. I heard a rumor that she means to give up her school

deal. She retired to a secluded part of the garden and read over her la

s at a single go! I know a date here and there, and I've a hazy notion of French and Latin verbs, and a general impression of other subjects

uotation or two, and a drawing if possible, and make your paper sound eloquent and dramatic and poetical, and all the rest of it. They'll

rtainly," said Winona, shuttin