Judy of York Hill

ir preparation had taken a somewhat secondary place in the thoughts of F

iled miserably in the last literature test; Josephine had been her companion in disgrace, and

lists were posted for the mid-term Latin examination, Judith's name had been halfway down with fifty-six marks to her credit. At Miss Graham's she had always headed the list

east one of these. It wouldn't be easy. Joyce Hewson and Phyllis Lovell had been steadily piling up marks all term, and the whole form was watching thei

orning school. "I've just got to-Daddy'll be awfully disappointed if I don't." And then, taking her place

th Laughton's going to speak. I saw her goi

day morning school bel

the War we had talks from people who had been there. Once we had a Polish Countess who spoke the funniest English, but she was awfully brave, and once a man from Serbia. He was in the Red Cross and he told us a terrible story ab

ast hour of the school week, very often to scho

the School, through these Friday morning glimpses of the great world of service, would be steadily and surely prepared for the part which they were to play. Social service, as such, was not talked about; most girls dislike what they call "preachments," but when Form Four decided to make baby clothes as a Christmas shower for the crêche where an Old Girl worked, and when Form Five pr

s life. Social service of some sort or other, after one left school, was an established fact like unlimited tea-parties and dancing partn

rls, for the Head Mistress knew the appeal which they alone could, and did make. To-day the speaker was to be Ruth Laughton, a nursing sister decorated for gallantry by the King. Catherine had bee

perhaps she was always brave and did not really mind the explosions. What was courage, anyway? And then, before she could decide this puzzling question, Miss Meredith was comi

orward. She was small, "not a bit pretty," the girls decided, and her voice seemed tired and lacking in vitalit

be back at dear old York Hill seemed to be all that she could remember of her speech. Three hundred pairs of hands had clapped her a warm welcome, but now

ing voice, "we'd like to hear a little more about the children's hostels in the north of F

fore them, her eyes brightened, her shoulders straightened, her voice had an

sea of upturned faces, "wherever I found a York girl-and you know my duties have taken me into all sorts of queer places these last four years-whether she was a V.A.D. ambulance driver, a nurse in hospital, a Y.W.C.A. secretary, or a Child's Welfare worker, always the record was the same, that when a York Hill girl undert

stood for a determination on the part of her

at the thing she was "to put through" during these last few week

laid schemes o

aft a

ee"-"scene shifters"-"costume committee"-"the Play." Very soon she herself was in a big secret, for a meeting of all New Girls was called by the School Captain, and Eleanor explained that the New Girls would be entertained at a play in the last week of November; that the custom was that the New Girls

paint scenery; that's a dirty and hard job if you like," said Sally May. "Miss Ashwell makes us work like demons. If she didn't work like a demon herself, we just wouldn't d

rol." Many other things were suggested, but Scrooge and Tiny Tim had apparently a warm place in the

he list was complete, and, a little to her relief, and, it must be confessed, a little to her regret, Judith was not included. She had never acted, a

r fingers, was convener of the committee, and under her direction Judith sewed and cut out, and, it must be confessed, ripped. Tiny Tim's coat and trousers were her task, and although the smallest of the new girls, Edith Holland by na

, decided Judith, for Catherine's room was the centre of numberless committee meetings and endless discussions, and Genevieve Singleton-who, to Judith's envy had established herself as Catherine's chief messenger-ran hither and thither, bursting wi

she had felt when on the opening night of term she had first seen Catherine, but now to the charm and witchery of first impressions of beauty was added the knowledge of Catherine's sweetness and gentleness. Nancy might be a witty Maria, and Josephine a rollicking Sir Toby; Judith had eyes an

theatre habitué as Malvolio pranced off the stage in the

fortunate ones who stood talking over the evening's triumph with Catherine and Genevieve and the rest of the cast. She envied Genevieve who had had such a success, and she wished, but did not dare, to j

Carol," and "All costumes must be finished for Monday. Full rehear

ith as she ran downstairs for the rehearsal; "four more days

behind the curtain where she was to help shift scenery; "you'

s a distinct groan reached their ears. "What's up?

here, all of you, and think hard. Who can take Scrooge at such short noti

who saw her consider for a moment, speak in a low tone to the two other prefects; then very reluctantly s

t. She hadn't been asked to do anything nice, or anything she wanted, and now

anor's uncomplimentary comme

Judy can be word-perfect by Friday. I'll coach her every spare minute myse

new turn of events flashed into her brain. The final term examination in literature was listed for Friday morning, and Judith had planned to spend all her spare time between now

. Self number one tried to hoodwink self number two-"Top Self" and "Deep-Down Self," Judith as a little girl had christened these two voices within her. "Daddy wou

fail, and honestly, do you want to come out first for Daddy's sake or for your own? I really believe you don't think enough fuss has been made over you. You'd r

with herself and she knew quit

e no way of deciding, when suddenly she remembered Nursing Sister Ruth's words, "York Hill girls have the reputation overseas of being willing to tackle any job-no mat

ttention, she found time to stop and say at the end of the first act, "Good work, Judy! I knew I could depend on you. You'll make a first-rate Scrooge, and you are a brick to get to work without any fuss

ped her lesson preparation. She thought and lived Scrooge, and as she had a good memory she was word-perfect before Eleanor had thought

d guessed, the extra reading which she had planned to do during these last few days would have given her paper "The little more, and h

at her out of the semi-darkness. For an instant she was paralyzed with terror, and it was only the audience's delight at find

her words, and as the story progressed she got a better grip on herself surprisin

to congratulate her chum, and to tell her that her wig was the least

o tears actually rolled down her cheeks. She was tired out, and the very imagination which had made it possible for her to be for the moment the

se inspirations, which seem almost heaven-sent. Hurrying back and learning that there were still four or five

here is one of the crew who needs

s they near

up. She has been such a brick, but she is so tir

ere she found Judith trying to look cheerful, but making a dismal failure of it. "

ded warning that the curtain was going up

pt the job?" And she put a steadying arm round the new mate's shoulders. "You've

ettable scene of Scrooge's awakening, and the whole school was infected with the joyousness of her declaration: "I am as light as a feather. I am

claration at the end of the scene, "Wonderful party, won

ty which was voted a great success ended with cake and lemonade a

ly happy, and her cup was filled to overflowing

e us a fine presentation of Scrooge, and Eleanor

s after "Lights Out" bell had rung-Catherine turned a

Mr. Fezziwig'

ratchit too fu

he ghost

as dancing the Sir Roger with Miss Meredith arrayed as Mrs. Cratchit, and that, so arrayed, Miss Meredith had proceeded to the p

our heroine stood fourth, in Five A, but that didn't spoil her morning, such a happy morning. Desks were tidied, C

th, having read the beautiful Christmas story, explained the meaning of its message so clearly, so simply, and yet so earnestly, and with such a passionate longing that from York Hi

nd because of this they listened. Doubtless some of the seed fell by the wayside, some into hard and stony ground, some was choked by the deceit