to her directions, her object being to separate those kindred spirits
who, she considered, might be tempted to whisper or otherwise
communicate with each other if left in too close proximity. By this new
arrangement Patty found herself seated next to Muriel. Enid was at the
desk behind, and it was therefore impossible to exchange even a smile
with her without deliberately turning round. For some time the class
worked away steadily and in silence. Occasionally a girl would so far
forget herself as to count aloud, but a glare from Miss Rowe would
instantly recall her to a sense of the enormity of such a misdeed.
Naughty Enid managed to draw a cat on the margin of her blotting paper,
and held it up for an admiring comrade to see; and Beatrice Wynne gave a
terrific yawn, for which she was told to lose an order mark. Patty had
been struggling for a long time with a difficult sum in compound
proportion, and having just finished it, paused for a moment to take a
rest. She presently became aware that Muriel, with lips pursed up as if
forming the word "Hush!" was trying to attract her attention, and that
Muriel's hand was secretly passing her a small note under cover of the
desk. She opened it at once. It ran thus:

"How do you state Question 5? Ought the answer to be in bales of silk or
days?"

Now Patty had only been a fortnight at The Priory; she knew little of
the rules of a large school, and this was the first real class
examination in which she had ever taken part. At Miss Dawson's school
she was accustomed to help any girl who applied to her for aid, and
indeed had often taught the younger ones how to work new rules, with the
full sanction and approval of the mistress. She did not yet understand
that an examination was a test of individual knowledge, and that no
assistance must be either asked for or given. The only thing she
realized was that Muriel wanted to know something which it was in her
power to explain. She moved, therefore, as close to her cousin as she
could, and, leaning over towards the latter's desk, took up her paper of
questions.

"I've just finished it myself, and it comes out nicely in bales of
silk," she whispered.

"Patty Hirst!" cried Miss Rowe, springing up in horrified indignation.
"Do you know that any girl detected in the act of copying must instantly
leave the examination?"

"Please, Miss Rowe, I wasn't copying," returned Patty, with some
surprise.

"But I saw you deliberately look at y