atty
remembered how Avis had hinted that Miss Rowe was not popular, and she
thought she began to understand why. In spite of the urgent necessity of
getting on quickly with her sums, she could not help stealing occasional
glances at the mistress, whose clear-cut profile, firm mouth, calm grey
eyes, and abundant braids of fair hair half attracted and half repelled
her. Miss Rowe was barely out of her teens; indeed, it was only a year
since she had left school herself to come as assistant governess at The
Priory, and she tried to make up for her lack of years by exacting the
utmost in the way of discipline, and asserting her dignity upon all
occasions. Miss Lincoln, who saw that there was sometimes friction
between Miss Rowe and her pupils, interfered as little as she could,
thinking the young teacher would soon learn by experience, and it was
better to leave her to fight her own battles, and hoping that time and
prudence would conquer many difficulties. Patty, of course, did not
know all this, but she realized that Miss Rowe was inclined to be
impatient and dictatorial, and in consequence began to think that she
should not like her. Morning school at The Priory was from nine till
one, and the hours from two to four were devoted to outdoor exercise.
To-day, however, owing to her examination, Patty was obliged to return
after dinner to the classroom, and she was not free until three o'clock,
when she handed in her last paper, and was told by Miss Rowe that she
might go and join the other girls in the grounds. Very much relieved
that her ordeal was over at last, she put on her hat and strolled across
the quadrangle under an archway into the garden beyond. She felt tired
out and languid. It was a warm September day, and the unwonted exertion
of answering so many questions had made her head ache. She wandered
aimlessly along the paths, pausing for a few moments at the tennis
courts, where a little crowd of spectators stood watching an exciting
set, then on towards the playing fields, where more girls appeared to be
practising hockey. Everybody seemed to be friends and to be occupied
with some game or amusement except herself, and the loneliness of her
position struck poor Patty again with full force. Muriel had entirely
deserted her, and evidently did not intend to take the slightest
notice of her. There had not yet been any opportunity of renewing the
acquaintance with either Jean Bannerman or Avis, and nobody else had
proffe