"I can't really think why you should have chosen me," she began ("don't
be too modest!" yelled a voice from the back), "but as you _have_ made
me your warden, I'll take care that all our grievances are very well
aired at the School Council." ("You'll have your work cut out!"
interrupted Francie.) "Of course I know it won't all be plain sailing,
and that the Sixth need a great deal of sticking up to over many
matters." ("That's so!" came from the front desk.) "But perhaps they'll
be prepared to talk things over now, and make some concessions." ("Time
they did!") "At any rate, I shall be able to tell them what you all
think" ("Flattering for them!"), "and to make things as smooth as
possible for VA. Now, as I'm warden, may I propose that we have
some fun before we go? Shall we have music, or games? Hands up for an
Emergency Concert!"

"A very neat way of getting out of further speechifying!" said Verity,
as by general consent the concert carried the day; "but you shall open
it yourself, Madam Warden, so I warn you! You're not going to be let
off, don't you think it! Silence! Ladies and gentlemen, the first item
on the program will be a piano solo by Miss Ingred Saxon, the celebrated
musical star, brought over at enormous expense, on purpose for this
occasion."

"You blighter!" murmured Ingred, as the prospective audience shouted
"Hear! Hear!"

"Not a bit of it!" purred Verity. "I guess we'll take sparks out of the
Sixth and everybody else."

VA. that afternoon was certainly in a position to boast itself.
It was the only form in possession of a piano: for by the sheerest
accident it had one. The instrument was only a temporary visitor, placed
there for convenience while some repairs were being done to a leaking
gas-pipe in one of the music rooms. It's an ill wind, however, that
blows nobody good, and it gave VA. an opportunity that was denied even
to the Sixth. Ingred was at once escorted to the piano, and officious
hands piled exercise books on a chair to make her seat high enough.

"I can't remember anything! I can't indeed!" she protested vigorously.

"Now don't twitter nonsense!" said Nora. "I've heard you play
dozens--yes, _dozens_!--of things without music at the hostel, so you've
just got to try!"

"I shall break down, I know I shall!"

"Then you can begin again at the beginning. Fire away, and don't be
affected!" commanded Nora.

It is one thing to play a piece from memory when you have the room to
y