eed, and filed out of the
dining-hall at least ten minutes earlier than usual, all anxious to
flee upstairs and begin the delightful but arduous task of robing
themselves in character.

Miss Maitland was the owner of what she called a "theatrical
property-box". It held a store of most invaluable possessions, which
she had collected from time to time and put by to serve for charades or
tableaux. There were old evening dresses and cloaks, feathers, shawls,
a few hats, artificial flowers, bright-coloured scarves, beads,
bangles, and cracker jewellery, even some false moustaches and beards,
a horse pistol, and a pair of top-boots. These she placed entirely at
the disposal of the girls, telling Vivian Holmes to distribute them so
as to allow as many as possible to have a share. Vivian was strictly
impartial, and doled out the treasures with the stern justice of a
Roman tribune. They did not go very far, however, among forty
Chaddites; so, of necessity, at least half of the costumes had to be
composed hastily of anything that came to hand.

The apparelling was a lively process, to judge from the sounds of mirth
that issued from the various cubicles; and so many different articles
were borrowed, lent, and exchanged that it was a wonder their
respective owners ever managed to claim them again. Strict secrecy was
observed, the occupants of each bedroom denying even a peep to their
next-door neighbours, who, though full of their own preparations, could
not fail to exhibit curiosity when such exclamations as, "Oh, how
lovely!" or, "It's simply screaming!" were wafted down the passage.

Nowhere was the excitement keener than in No. 8, though Honor and Janie
had the fun all to themselves. The latter had decided to go as a friar.
She had contrived a capital monk's habit out of her waterproof, tied
round the waist with the cord that held back the window curtains. The
hood formed the cowl, a dictionary made a very passable breviary, and a
hockey stick served as a pilgrim's staff.

"You're just like a palmer returning from the Holy Land," declared
Honor.

"Or the 'Friar of Orders Grey'," said Janie, "who--

"'Walked forth to tell his beads,
And he met with a lady fair
Clad in a pilgrim's weeds!'

"I ought to have a rosary, but there isn't anything that would do in
the least for it."

"Never mind! One must imagine it is in your pocket. Even palmers
couldn't tell their beads all day long. You look a most unsuitable