comforted; the honour of the House meant less to
her than the friendship of Catherine whom she had adored from the first
day she entered York Hill. However, she practiced hard--Patricia saw to
that--and when Tournament Day came she had profited not a little by the
week's coaching.

But Patricia was worried. True, Judith's serve had improved, but she
lacked the nerve and spirit which had made her playing so irresistible
in the House match, and Nelly Smith was an old hand at the game.

The great day came. Surely Catherine would wish her luck, and while
Judith put on a fresh white skirt and blouse and made her hair as trim
as possible, she listened for the sound of Catherine's footsteps--but no
Catherine came, and Judith went off to the match with a heavy heart.

The central courts were lined with spectators, and as they tossed for
courts Judith realized that this was an occasion. The cup was to go for
a year to the winner of this one match, for Nelly Smith had already
beaten Althea Somerset of North, and East, being largely a Junior House,
had no representative.

Over by the umpire's stand Judith could see the crew of the "Jolly
Susan"--Nancy's pretty golden head and Josephine's untidy red one. Jane
seemed to be holding a flag--yes, it must be the "Susan's" flag. If only
Catherine--!

Nelly had the first serve, and the white balls began to fly back and
forth. Nelly won her serve and then Judith hers. It was steady,
interesting playing. They were well matched. But Judith's mind was only
half on her game, for while with one half of her brain she countered
Nelly's tactics, the other half was still occupied with Catherine and
the possibility of losing Catherine's friendship if she won the game.

Suddenly in a flash Judith saw a solution. Supposing she didn't win--and
of course she mightn't--Nelly was no mean rival--would Catherine restore
her to friendship? Supposing she didn't try her very hardest?

Judith's thoughts were centred on Catherine and the full dishonour of
what she was contemplating did not occur to her. She only knew that
nothing seemed to matter if she lost Catherine. Nancy, meanwhile, who
surmised what was troubling Judith, was watching her anxiously, and
because she knew her so well she saw that Judith was not putting her
whole self into the game, although she had won the first set by a very
narrow margin. Nelly's score was climbing steadily now--five-three,
five-four.

"Game and set to Nelly Smith,"