ustomed to celebrate the occasion with some little festivity,
and were delighted when it was arranged that they should visit the town
of Appleford, about ten miles away.

"There is the Dripping Well to see, and a fine old church," said Miss
Russell. "I am sure we shall be able to spend a very pleasant afternoon
there. We must ask Monica to come with us."

There was some doubt at first as to whether Monica would be able to
accept the invitation. She had missed her French lesson one day, and
arrived at school late on the next, looking pale and upset. Mrs.
Courtenay had been very ill, so she explained. The doctor had been sent
for, and had given an unfavourable report. Naturally extra care and
attention were needful, and who could give these so well as her own
daughter?

On the day of the picnic Monica turned up with rather an anxious face.

"I scarcely like to leave Mother," she said, "but she wants me so much
to have this treat that she would not rest content until she had seen me
put on my hat and start off. Fortunately Jenny is a good nurse, and will
look after her nicely. Still, I always feel uneasy when I am long away
from her."

The girls were to drive the whole distance to Appleford, and the
prospect was so exhilarating that everyone was at the high-water mark of
enjoyment. Even poor Monica caught the prevailing spirit, and for the
moment, at least, began to forget her cares. There was just room to pack
both teachers and pupils into the four wagonettes which arrived from the
George Inn, but nobody seemed to mind crushing, and even Mademoiselle
was in a good temper.

"I smile because I shall again see shops and streets," she declared.

"I believe Mademoiselle will be delighted to go back to Winterburn
Lodge," said Marjorie Butler, who was in another wagonette, but
overheard the remark.

"Yes, I think she's absolutely yearning for pavements and lamp-posts,"
said Cicely. "She'll weep with joy at the sight of a tramcar. She says
it is terribly 'triste' here."

"Mademoiselle is French," observed Effie Hargreaves scornfully.

"What a very original remark! You didn't suppose we took her for a
German?"

"Well, I mean she's a foreigner at any rate, so we can't expect her to
like the country," replied Effie, with true British prejudice.

There were several small excitements on the journey. Beryl's hat was
blown by a sudden puff of wind over a bridge, and was in great peril of
descending into the river when it