rably superior to the
forwards of the Green Dormitory. And nearly all the play took place
down near the Green Dormitory's goal. On the few occasions when the
Green forwards did get away with the ball, they were turned back easily
by the Pink half-backs. Monica Deane, Gerry's companion at full back,
stopped a stray ball or two, but nothing at all serious in the nature
of a struggle took place at the Pink Dormitory's end of the field.

But although the Green attack was poor, its defence was strong enough,
and in spite of the fact that all the play was down in the Green's goal
circle, it was not until well after half-time that Muriel succeeded at
last in scoring a goal for her dormitory. Gerry drew a breath of
relief as the forwards returned to the centre-line. Incredible as it
may sound, Gerry had not as yet touched a ball. There couldn't be much
longer to play now--not more than another ten minutes at the outside.
If she had not distinguished herself so far, at least she had not
disgraced herself. Oh, if only Muriel would keep the ball at the other
end until these next ten minutes were over, then she would be safely
through her ordeal! Monica and the Pink goal-keeper were lamenting
loudly at the dullness of their afternoon, but Gerry was almost praying
that the inaction might continue to the end.

But, alas! her prayers were destined to be unfulfilled! Five minutes
before time, the Green Dormitory made a desperate effort to break down
the Pink team's defence. Jack Pym, from her place at half-back, got
hold of the ball, and obeying the orders of her captain, Alice
Metcalfe, not to pass it but to break etiquette for once and take it up
herself, succeeded in getting it by the Pink half-backs. Elsie
Lipscombe, centre forward for the Greens, joined her then, and together
the two took the ball down until they were almost inside the Pink
Dormitory's goal circle. Monica flew out to tackle them, and succeeded
in stopping Elsie Lipscombe, who, however, tipped the ball back to Jack
with an injunction to "get it into the goal circle and shoot for all
you're worth."

"Into her, Gerry!" shouted Monica, flying after Jack, but unable to
catch up with her. It should have been an easy matter for Gerry to
have disposed of the ball, for at that moment Jack slipped suddenly and
sent it accidentally a yard or so farther in front of her than she had
intended. All that Gerry had to do was to stop the ball--it was not a
hard one