far from
the front, she was recognised as a girl of power and determination; an
ambitious girl, who would spare no work to attain her end, and who
might, in the future, become a dangerous rival. Dorothy had long ago
thrown up the unequal fight, and even Kathleen had moments of doubt,
when she said fearfully to herself, "She is cleverer than I am. She
gets on so well. Suppose--just suppose..."

With milder weather, cricket had come into fashion, and on the occasion
of the first pavilion tea the Blues turned up in force. Thomasina sat
perched in manly attitude on the corner of the table, where, as it
seemed to the onlooker, every possible hindrance was put in the way of
her enjoyment of the meal. Irene Grey presided at the urn, Bertha
handed round the cups, and a bevy of girls hung over the cake basket,
making critical and appreciative remarks.

"Bags me that brown one, with the cream in the middle! I've tried those
macaroons before--they are as hard as bricks!"

"I wish they would get cocoa-nut cakes for a change; I adore cocoa-nuts,
when they are soft and mushy. We make them at home, and they are ever
so much nicer than the ones you buy!"

"That's what they call plum-cake, my love! Case of `Brother, where art
thou?' like the Friday pudding. Those little white fellows look
frightfully insipid. What Rhoda would call a `kid-glove flavour,' I
should say."

Every one laughed at this, for it was still a matter of recent
congratulation in the house that Rhoda Chester had invented an
appropriate title for a certain mould or blancmange, which appeared at
regular intervals, and possessed a peculiar flavour which hitherto had
refused to be classified.

In a moment of inspiration, Rhoda had christened it "Kid-Glove Jelly,"
and the invention had been received with acclamation. Did she say she
had never distinguished herself, had never attracted attention? No,
surely this was wrong; for in that moment she had soared to the very
pinnacle of fame. So long as the school endured, the name which she had
created would be handed down from generation to generation. Alas, alas!
our ambitions are not always realised in the way we would choose! When
one has pined to be in a first team, or to come out head in an
examination, it is a trifle saddening to be obliged to base our
reputation on--the nickname of a pudding!

Rhoda smiled brightly enough, however, at the present tribute to her
powers, and passed her cup for a thi