chie! I'm not French, and
I w-w-ant to be l-l-oved!"

Irene looked at her and shook her head.

"That's not the way to go about it I'm afraid. I'm sorry, but you know
you'll just _invite_ teasing if you carry on like this. Can't you brace
up and be sporty? Pretend you don't mind anything they say and they'll
soon stop."

"But I _do_ mind!" sobbed the tragic little figure on the steps. "I mind
d-d-dreadfully! Why are they all so horrid to me? People have always
been so nice till I came here!"

"That's exactly the reason," said Irene, grasping the situation and
explaining it truthfully. "You've been accustomed to be petted by
everybody, and after all why _should_ the other girls in your form pet
you? You don't pet _them_, do you?"

"N-n-o!"

Desiree's eyes were round with amazement.

"Well, can't you see school's a matter of give and take? If you do
something for the rest they'll possibly like you, but they won't fall on
your neck just out of sheer good nature. Why don't you write home for a
box of chocolates and offer them round your form?"

"I never thought of it. I had some chocolates--but--I ate them!"

"There you are! You expected to get all the attention and give nothing.
Sorry if I seem brutal, but it's the solid truth. You take my advice and
cheer up instead of continually sniveling. I've been at school myself
since I was seven, and I know a thing or two. If a girl's popular
there's generally some reason behind it. Look here, I'll help you if I
can. Those kids over there are doing nothing. I'll get them to come and
play rounders, choose you for a partner, and I'll back our side to win.
Here's Peachy! Perhaps she'll join in too. I'll ask her."

Irene rapidly explained her philanthropic intentions, and enlisted both
Peachy and Delia in her team. The juniors, amazed and flattered at an
invitation from older girls, were ready enough for a game. Irene
insisted upon the innovation of what she called "hunting in couples,"
that is to say, dividing the company into partners who made the course
hand in hand. She took good care to choose Desiree for her
"running-mate," and as they were both fleet of foot they scored
considerably. By the time the bell rang they had beaten the records.

"Look here!" said Irene, addressing the juniors before they scooted
away, "you kids are missing a chance. Why don't you make Desiree train
for the sports? She can run like a hare! With the start she'd get as a
junior she might win