of authority.

"I've called this meeting," began Rachel, "because to-day an unusual
thing has happened. Three new girls have arrived, although the term is
well under way. By the rules of our society they must give some account
of themselves, and we must explain what is required from them. Will they
kindly stand up?"

Blushing considerably Irene rose to her feet, in company with the
dark-eyed damsel who had crossed in the same steamer with her from
Naples, and the fair-haired child whom she had privately christened
Little Flaxen.

"Name and nationality?" demanded Rachel, pencil and note-book in hand.
She wrote down Irene Beverley, British, without further comment; the
fact was evidently too obvious for discussion. At "Mabel Hughes,
Australian, born in Patagonia," she demurred slightly, and she hesitated
altogether at "Desiree Legrand."

"_That's_ not English!" she objected. "We don't reckon to take Frenchies
here, you know!"

"But I'm _not_ French," came the high-pitched voice of the little,
fair-haired girl. "I'm as English as anybody. I am _indeed_!"

"Then why have you got a French name?"

"Legrand isn't French--we come from Jersey."

"Very much on the borderland," sniffed Rachel. "What about Desiree? Not
much wholesome Anglo-Saxon there at any rate."

"I was called Desiree because I was so very much desired. Mother says it
just fits me."

An indignant titter went round the room and Rachel frowned.

"I'm afraid you won't find yourself so much desired here," she said
sarcastically. "I'll enter you British, though I have my doubts. Now
come along, all three of you, and lay your hands on this book. You've
got to take an oath of allegiance. I'll repeat the words, and you must
say them after me:

"'I hereby promise and vow that being of Anglo-Saxon birth I will uphold
the integrity of Great Britain and her colonies and of the United States
of America, and strive my utmost to maintain their credit in a foreign
land.' Now then, do you understand what your oath means?"

Her eyes rested on Irene as she asked the question. That much
embarrassed damsel stuttered hesitatingly:

"We're not to trouble our heads about learning foreign languages?"

A delighted chuckle came from several members of the audience at this
interpretation of the vow. Rachel hastily condescended to explain.

"Oh, no! You'll have to study French and Italian, but what we mean is
for goodness' sake don't stick on all the airs and graces that