climbing on a
ladder up the porch to hang the Union Jack over the threshold.

"We ought each to have a flag of our own," said Geraldine, who was
intensely patriotic. "I'm going to ask Miss Todd if we may go and buy
some."

Wild schemes for celebrating the day floated in the air, varying from a
picnic to a bonfire.

"The ground is too wet yet for either," decreed Geraldine. "How could we
tramp over the fells when everything's a quagmire? And if you think you
can light a bonfire with damp wood, you're jolly well mistaken. We'll
collect sticks, and have one when they're dry. I plump for a flag-hunt.
There must be some in the shops."

Geraldine's suggestions were generally received with favour at
head-quarters. Miss Todd felt that the school was fizzing over, and must
find some outlet for its excitement. An expedition to Glenbury to buy
flags seemed feasible. They could have an early lunch, and start
immediately afterwards. Those who possessed bicycles could ride, and the
rest could walk a mile to Athelton village and catch the motor-omnibus
which passed there. Everybody was satisfied with the arrangement, and
the cyclists dispersed to oil their machines and pump tyres. Miss Todd
and Miss Chadwick were going in the trap; even Spot, with a bow of red,
white, and blue ribbon tied to his collar, was to accompany the party.

Diana did not possess a bicycle, so Wendy, out of sheer good-fellowship,
decided to lend hers to Sadie and to take the omnibus, so that she
herself might go in company with her chum. Nine girls and a mistress
started off in good time for Athelton, slightly in advance of the
cyclists, who expected to meet them in Glenbury. Even in the village of
Pendlemere and the little hamlet of Athelton people were making peace
rejoicings: flags hung from windows, and children ran about blowing tin
trumpets, whistles, and mouth-organs. A string of small urchins had
improvised a band, and paraded proudly along, banging on tin trays and
old kettles, and yelling the National Anthem. Men talked eagerly
together outside the post office; women stood at their doors and
watched, some radiant and excited, and some quieter, with a heartache
behind the smile, as they thought of those lads who would not come
marching home with the others.

The wild weather of the last few days seemed to have rolled away with
the war clouds. The sky was flecked with blue, and the trees by the
roadside were hung all over with drops that sparkle