r certainly would not have countenanced any rudeness or
discourtesy in class, but, her good influence being removed, Aldred was
only too ready to follow the example of the others, and, as a cheap and
ready means to win popularity, became one of the ring-leaders in the
daily mutiny, vying with Ursula as to which could be the more clever at
their teacher's expense. All kinds of petty annoyances were resorted to.
If Miss Webb wished to write on the blackboard, the chalk would be
missing, or the duster mislaid. The desk lids were banged, books
dropped feet scraped noisily, or the door was slammed on purpose. The
girls would wilfully misunderstand the plainest directions, make
ridiculous mistakes in their essays or exercises, and altogether try how
far they could put the patience and good temper of the long-suffering
mistress to the test.

One morning Miss Webb, in a feeble effort towards reform, announced that
she intended next day to give the Form a viva voce examination upon the
work taken since her arrival, and that she would submit the results to
Miss Drummond.

This was a blow, for the girls had learnt their lessons so badly lately
that not one of them was prepared, and they knew that the low standard
of their marks would mean trouble with the head mistress.

"It's absurd to give us an exam, when it's not even the middle of the
term!" exclaimed Dora, in much indignation.

"And a viva voce, too! We always have written ones at Birkwood," said
Agnes, "with properly typed questions."

"Suppose none of us pass? Miss Drummond will be absolutely savage!" said
Phoebe uneasily.

"Yes; she was not at all pleased with our reports last week," agreed
Lorna.

"She asked how it was I had so many mistakes in my German exercises, and
why my problems were all wrong."

"And she looked at the writing in my book, and said it was a scribble,"
added Myfanwy.

"What are we going to take for the viva voce?" asked Aldred.

"Everything. It's to be from nine to eleven--a regular catechism in
Roman history, and physical geography, and English literature, with
grammar and parsing thrown in."

"Miss Webb said she would even ask us French verbs, and weights and
measures," wailed Dora. "I know I shall fail! I'm no good at viva voces.
I can remember the past preterite of _s'en aller_, or how many square
yards there are in a square pole, when I'm writing an exercise, or doing
a sum; but I never can think quickly enough when I'm asked point