as a
dressing-table with an assortment of photos, books, and toilet
requisites. She looked rather in the dumps, but it was impossible for
anybody to remain gloomy when in the presence of such lively spirits as
Nora and Verity, and by the time the gong sounded for tea she had
cheered up, and was sitting on her bed discussing school news.

[Illustration: "LET'S CALL OURSELVES THE FOURSOME LEAGUE."]

"Look here!" said Verity. "If we want to have a jolly term we four must
stick together. Let's make a compact that, both in school and in the
hostel, we'll support each other through thick and thin. We'll be a sort
of society of Freemasons. I haven't made up any secrets yet, but whoever
betrays them will be outlawed! Let's call ourselves 'The Foursome
League.' Now then, put your right hands all together on mine, and say
after me: 'I hereby promise and vow on my honor as a gentlewoman that
I'll stand by my chums in No. 2 Dormitory at any cost.' That's a good
beginning. When we've time, we'll draw up the rules. Subscriptions? Oh,
bother! You can each give sixpence if you like, and we'll spend the
money on a chocolate feast. Remember, Fil, not a word to anybody! It's
to be kept absolutely quiet. There's the gong. If the tea's up to the
standard of the rest of the hostel, I shan't object. Glad we're not
rationed now, for I'm as hungry as a hunter."

CHAPTER III

Wynch-on-the-Wold

Though the College only opened on Tuesday afternoon, the short remainder
of the week seemed enormously long to Ingred. Her form mates were the
same, but everything else was absolutely changed; she might have been at
a new school. She appreciated the convenient arrangements of the
handsome building: the lecture-hall, with its stained-glass window and
polished floor, the airy class-rooms, the studio with its facilities for
every kind of art work, the three music-rooms, the laboratory, the
gymnasium, and, last but not least, the hostel. Ingred had never before
been a boarder, and she had not expected to like the experience, but
there is a subtle charm in community life that infects everybody with
"the spirit of the hive," and in spite of herself she began to be
interested in the particular set of faces that met round the table for
meals. The greater part of the girls were in the middle and lower
school, but there were a few members of the Sixth, who sat next to Mrs.
Best, the matron, and Nurse Warner, and looked with superior eyes on the
crowd