portion in the
opinion of the younger girls. Whatever successes the intermediates might
win later on, "The True Blues" had carried all before them so far, and
had won the cup by an average at least a dozen marks in advance of "The
Mermaids," who came second. The trophy stood on their mantelpiece, and
they had brought an ornamental glazed tile on which to place it, as if
they meant it to stay there.

On the whole they received the other wardens very graciously, and gave
them opportunities to speak and air their views. Questions such as the
due apportioning of the asphalt tennis-courts, basket-ball and hockey
fixtures, and various school societies were discussed, and the general
business of the term got under way.

"It helps things to be able to talk it over and know what you all
think," said Lispeth. "We're making so many changes with coming into the
new building, that it's almost like an entirely fresh start. Miss Burd
wants us to get up a sort of Reconstruction Society in the school. She
hasn't quite planned it out yet, but she told me a little about it, and
I think it's ever so nice. As soon as it's quite fixed up, I'm going to
call a general meeting, and explain it to everybody. I expect that will
be next Wednesday. Will you give me power to do this on my own, or must
I call a special committee on Monday to discuss it first, before I put
it to the school?"

"It's my music lesson on Monday, I couldn't come," demurred Ingred.

"And I have to go to the dentist immediately after four," chimed in Alys
Horner, the warden of "The Amazons."

"If Miss Burd has arranged it, I suppose it's all serene," said Mabel
Hughes, of "The Old Brigade."

"You'll like it, I know. I'd explain now, only I haven't got any of the
papers, and besides, it would take such a long time, and it's rather
late, and I want to be getting home. Anyway, I hope we shall all take it
up hot and strong. Be sure to keep Wednesday free, though I'm going to
ask Miss Burd to let us have the meeting in school hours if possible,
then we're absolutely sure of everybody."

"Right you are!" agreed the wardens, separating in a rather
unparliamentary fashion to admire a vinaigrette, scented with
heliotrope, which Althea took from her pocket and handed round for
appreciative sniffs.

All the girls felt that Lispeth Scott was to be trusted. She was a
worthy leader for the new order of things. She was a tall, stout, fair
girl of almost eighteen, and rather grown-