es not get any regular
pocket money. She's very rich at present, as she's been top three times
running. How I'd like to play Rugby football. It looks enticing to be
let knock a person down. It _is_ a pity girls can't, only lucky boys. I
wonder why I feel poorer here than at home and yet have more money."

The Canon had, I am sure, provided Lalage with a suitable amount of
pocket money. I myself gave her five shillings the day before she
left home. She ought not to feel poor. Compared to Hilda, who has
one-and-sixpence, earned in the sweat of her brow, Lalage must seem a
millionaire.

"Do you know the kind of person who you hate and yet can't help loving
although you are afraid of her? That is the sort the old Pet is. As I
was going into school to-day she was standing at the door. The beast
promptly spotted the fact that I had no hair ribbon, and remarked in
awe-inspiring tones, 'Lalage, where is your hair ribbon?' 'Forgot it,'
said I, and took a lecture with a polite grin. The old Pet may be a
beast, but is _not_ an ass. I hope the weather will improve soon.

"There is no doubt that I am of a persevering nature or I would not
continue to write this letter. I fear it is so long that you'll never
get through it, though I did not know it until now. I know a girl who is
learning Greek. She's awful, and so clever. She is in my Latin class and
prime favourite with Carpy.

"Your affect.

"Lalage."

Carpy cannot be the real name of the lady who teaches Latin to Lalage
and Greek to the awful girl. I have tried to reconstruct her name from
its corruption, but have hitherto failed to satisfy myself. She may be
a Miss Chartres. Perhaps she is the purple-gowned woman who hustled,
pushed, herded and slung Lalage on the day of her arrival. She cannot,
in any case, be identified with the mathematician who uses red ink. No
ingenuity in nicknaming could extract Carpy from Campbell.

There was, in spite of its great length, a postscript to Lalage's
letter. There was also an enclosure.

"P.S. What does 'flippant' mean? The old Pet said my comp. was flippant,
and I don't know what that is. It was my first comp."

I unfolded the "comp." and read it carefully:

Composition on Politeness by Lalage Beresford

Politeness is a very difficult art to acquire. It is altogether an
acquired art, for no one is polite when he is born. Some sorts of
politeness are sensible and they are comparatively easy to learn.
Begging a person's pardo