the holidays
would begin!"

The prize-giving was held in the gymnasium, which was the only room at
The Priory capable of accommodating all the classes and the various
friends invited to attend. The walls were hung with flags, and beautiful
vases of flowers were placed on the window sills to give an air of
festivity to the scene. Patty felt there was something very inspiriting
in the fact that she was a member of such a large community. She was
only one amongst many, it is true, but units make numbers, and, as Miss
Lincoln often reminded the girls, each had her own place to fill, and
must try to do her best for the sake of the whole school.

"I'm afraid I shan't win any credit for the Upper Fourth," thought
Patty. "I haven't a chance of a single prize, I know. Winnie's sure to
get the first English, and Enid the second, and either Beatrice or
Maggie will take the French, and perhaps the mathematics too. My exam.
papers weren't very good; I'm sure I shall be quite halfway down the
class. Well, never mind! As long as I haven't failed in anything, I
don't much care. Father and Mother will be satisfied, because they'll
know I've done as well as I could."

Although she did not expect to receive a prize, Patty nevertheless took
her seat in the gymnasium on the important afternoon in question with as
great interest as any other girl in the class. The platform was
decorated with palms and large ferns in pots; there was a table in the
middle of it, upon which were laid a number of books; and there were
chairs for Miss Lincoln, Sir John and Lady Carston, and a few others of
the more distinguished visitors. The proceedings, which were to consist
of both concert and prize-giving combined, opened with a short speech
from Miss Lincoln, welcoming the guests, and explaining briefly the
principal aims which she strove to carry out in her plan of education at
The Priory. A part-song followed from eight of the best girls in the
singing class, among whom was Avis, who had a remarkably sweet voice,
and whose high notes were as clear as a bell. Phyllis Chambers and
Marjory Gregson acted a dialogue in German, some of the most advanced
French scholars gave a scene from _Les Femmes Savantes_, and Enid
recited the famous soliloquy from _Hamlet_, which was much applauded.
With one or two more songs and piano pieces, and a solo on the violin
from a girl in the lowest class, the programme for the concert was
completed; and Sir John Carston then