wing rapidly to a
close. Miss Russell seemed determined to make the very most of the last
weeks at the Manor, and arranged something fresh for nearly every
afternoon. On one day there was a cricket match, on another a putting
contest, and on a third a tennis tournament, all of which caused much
excitement in the small world of the school.

Both Lindsay and Cicely were fond of games, and anxious to win their
share of distinction, so by mutual consent they decided to relax their
watch on Scott until after the athletic sports. These were always
considered a great event, and this year were to be on a larger scale
than usual.

"It's so splendid to be able to have them in these lovely grounds," said
Mildred Roper. "There never seemed half enough room on the lawn at
Winterburn Lodge."

"I hear Miss Russell is going to give quite a party," volunteered Nora
Proctor. "She's invited the Rector and Mrs. Cross and all the people
who have called on her at Haversleigh, so we shall have plenty of
spectators."

"I wish Mrs. Courtenay could come," exclaimed Cicely.

"I wish indeed she could. I'm afraid she must be worse to-day, as Monica
was not at the history class," said Mildred.

All the girls were busy "getting into good form", as they expressed it.
The elder ones worked untiringly at tennis, while the younger ones
practised running with a zeal worthy of candidates for a Marathon race.

"Miss Russell says there'll be several handicaps, but she won't tell us
what they are," remarked Beryl Austen.

"Well, it's much more fun if you don't know beforehand," returned Effie
Hargreaves. "They wouldn't be handicaps if we could do them too easily."

"I found a piece of four-leaved clover yesterday," observed Cicely, "so
I ought to be lucky. I showed it to Mademoiselle, and she was quite
envious. 'Vous aurez la chance!'" she said.

"How jolly! Have you kept it?"

"Rather! I've left it to press between two pieces of blotting-paper,
under a pile of books. I'm going to have it put in a locket when I go
home."

"I don't believe in luck," declared Nora. "I'm sure all the four-leaved
clovers in the world wouldn't make Marjorie Butler win a race. She's out
of breath before she's run ten yards."

"Is Monica going to take part?" asked Beryl.

"I don't know. She said she had put her name down provisionally. If she
does, I expect she'll astonish us all. She can jump most
beautifully--she's as light as a feather."

The afternoon of the