al fete of the affair. Lispeth Scott, the head girl,
went boldly to Miss Burd, and asked permission for those who liked to
bring thermos flasks, cups, and bags of buns and cakes, and hold parties
in the various class-rooms.

"It would make so much more of the whole thing," she urged. "If we
simply stop for ten minutes after school and vote, I'm afraid it may
fall rather flat. But if every form has its festival to elect its own
warden, it will make the council seem a much more important business.
We'd like to be allowed to stay till about half-past five, if we may, so
that there would be time to have some fun over it. We'd promise not to
make a mess with our picnicking."

Miss Burd, looking rather astonished, nevertheless consented. She was a
wise woman, and believed in permitting a certain amount of liberty,
within limits.

"You may try it this once," she conceded. "But it's on the distinct
understanding that you're all on your good behavior. I shall hold you
prefects responsible for controlling the school. If you hear a great
noise, you must go into their form-rooms and stop them. I can't allow
the College to be turned into a bear-garden."

"We won't! I'll put them all on their honor to behave, and I'll leave
the door of our form-room open so that I can hear what's going on. Thank
you so much, Miss Burd!"

And Lispeth departed, fearful lest any other qualifications should be
added to temper the joy of the proceedings.

Six girls, waiting outside the door to hear the result of the
negotiations, waved signals of success to others farther down the
corridor, and, in an almost incredibly short space of time, the happy
news had spread to the remotest corners of the school.

"But how are we hostelites going to manage our share?" asked Ingred
anxiously.

"Don't you worry about that," Jess and Francie assured her. "Ten girls
in our form have promised to bring thermos flasks, and if we pool to tea
there'll be heaps to go round, and the same with buns and cakes. We'll
each bring a little extra to make enough. The hostel will very likely
lend you each a cup if you ask for it. That's all you'll need!"

"Right-o! We'll cast ourselves on the charity of the form!" agreed
Ingred.

CHAPTER V

The Fifth-form Fete

By a general indulgence issued from head-quarters, the dismissal bell
rang at 3:45 the next Friday afternoon, instead of, as usual, at four
o'clock. The mistresses entered up the marks, put away their bo