e movement, and she likewise
cherished the belief that she was entitled to take a prominent place as
illustrator; but she consoled herself with the reflection that when the
magazine was really started her previous experience could not fail to be
useful.

"We'll have stories, and essays, and poetry, and competitions, and
advertisements at the end. You have to pay for advertisements, and that
pays for stationery."

"What sort of advertisements?"

"Every sort. Exchanging stamps and post cards, selling snapshots--
anything you like. I should put: `Fifth form pupil will coach junior
for ten minutes daily in exchange for fagging: hot water, sewing on
buttons, darning, etcetera.' I'm not used to mending. It's the limit!
What shall we call it?"

"The magazine? _The Grey House Monthly_--_Messenger_--_Herald_--
something of that kind. We ought to bring in the name of the school."

"I don't see why. I think it would be nicer without. Less amateury.
The--_Casket_. Wouldn't _Casket_ be good? It implies that it is full
of treasures."

"_The Torch_! That's nicer than _Casket_, and sounds more spirited. We
could have a picture of a woman holding up a lamp, with the word
`Progress' written across the beams--like they do in the _Punch_
cartoons. I think _Torch_ would be lovely."

"Why not _Comet_?" asked Nancy in her brief, quiet tones, narrowing the
double line of black eyelashes as she spoke so as to hide the expression
of her eyes.

There was a moment's pause, broken by Dreda's quick, suspicious
question:

"Why _Comet_?"

"Why not?"

"Do you mean because of the _tail_?"

"Comets _do_ have tails, don't they? So do magazines!"

That was all very well, but the silence which followed the explanation
showed that suspicion still rankled. Dreda arched her eyebrows at
Barbara, who shrugged in reply. Susan wrinkled her brows, and Norah
pursed her lips. What was Nancy really thinking inside that sleek,
well-shaped little head? Comets appeared suddenly; remained to be a ten
days' talk and wonder, and then--mysteriously disappeared!
Instinctively Dreda stiffened her back, and registered an inward vow
that she would spare neither time nor pains to make the magazine a
permanent and shining light!

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

To the delight of Dreda, and the more subdued satisfaction of the other
pupils, a magazine received the sanction of the headmistress and Miss
Drake, provided that it did not aim at more than a