me flashing, if not red daggers, very obvious untoward
glances, as she caught a smile of comprehension pass between Adeline and
Hilary. Nobody had time to take much notice of her heroics.

Everyone was too busy discussing school affairs. The very latest news
was that the boat-house was at last to be unlocked, the boat thoroughly
overhauled and painted, and that mistresses and students would go rowing
on the lake. A rumour even began to circulate that certain favoured
members of the school might be taken as passengers.

"We used when Mrs. Gifford was here," said Wendy. "She often got Mr.
Thwaites from the village to come and row us. It was top-hole. And once
he let Tattie and me try to row, but I 'caught a crab' and dropped the
oar. I'd soon learn though, if I'd another chance."

"We ought to have two or three boats," decided Sadie.

"One for each form," amended Vi.

"You bet it's only seniors who'll have any luck," groused Diana, who was
still in the depths of despondency.

"There's no knowing," said Jess hopefully.

Though they might not be certain of sharing in the pleasure of
navigating the lake, there was at least an element of anticipation in
the matter. It was just possible that some fine day Miss Todd might say
to one of them: "Put on your jersey and you may go for a row". They felt
it was one of those sporting chances that sometimes turn up in a life.
They hung about the boat-house wistfully when Mr. Appleton from Glenbury
did his task of overhauling, and if he went away for a few minutes they
took advantage of his absence to scramble in and sit inside the boat and
imagine how delightful it would feel to be really on the water. They
began to practise boat-songs, just to be ready for any emergency, and
would sit on the landing-place singing "Row, brothers, row!" or "My
barque is on the shore".

It was very exciting when repairs got to the painting stage, especially
when Diana did not notice, and took a leap inside, with equal disaster
to Mr. Appleton's nice coat of paint and her own serge skirt. Great was
the day when the _Peveril_ at last was dry, and Mr. Appleton launched
her himself on the lake, and took Miss Todd, Miss Beverley, and Miss
Chadwick for a trial trip. The school, watching enviously from the bank,
decided that nothing but a steamer, or a small fleet of rowboats could
satisfy its demands. They considered rowing ought to be a part of every
girl's education.

As Diana had prophesied, the in