ack."

Winnie returned in about five minutes with a doleful face. "It's no
use," she assured the girls, "I can't make Miss Rowe understand the
point at all. She would only say: 'You wrote a very ill-prepared
exercise, which did not deserve a good mark, and if you think I am going
to excuse bad work you are quite mistaken'."

"It's just what I expected," declared Enid. "Miss Rowe carries
everything with such a high hand, she won't take the trouble to listen
properly when one tries to explain."

"It's a shame!" said all the girls, indignantly.

"I wish we could find some way of paying her out," said Enid.

"What could we do?"

"Let me think. I know! Suppose we none of us say 'Good morning' to her
when she comes into the schoolroom to-morrow to take the register."

"Oh, yes! That would be splendid, and then she would see our opinion of
her."

"Every girl must vow she won't say it, even you, Patty!"

"I think you're very silly," said Patty, "but I shan't be there myself.
I always have my music lesson at nine o'clock on Friday mornings."

"So much the better," said Enid. "You were the only one I thought might
spoil it. Will everybody else promise?"

All gave the required assent. The girls were anxious to air their
grievance, and this seemed the most feasible way of showing their
teacher their displeasure. At five minutes to nine on the following
morning, they were seated in their places waiting for the second bell to
ring. Miss Rowe entered punctually, and turning to the class as usual
said: "Good morning".

There was no reply. She waited a moment in much astonishment.

"Good morning, girls," she said again.

Still there was dead silence in the room.

"I will give you one more chance. I cannot believe that you can be so
deliberately and intentionally discourteous. Good morning, girls."

What would have happened at this juncture, whether the girls would have
still persisted in defying their teacher, and so have obliged her to
report their conduct to Miss Lincoln, or whether they would have given
way with an ill grace, it is impossible to say. Fortunately for all
concerned, Miss Harper was rather earlier than usual that day, and
arriving in the schoolroom exactly at the critical moment, she saved the
situation. Her greeting was answered by a chorus of "Good morning",
which might be intended for both mistresses. Miss Rowe had the good
sense to take no further notice, and to proceed at once to mark the
regist