e can complain to Miss Oakley," said Hilda.

"Well, if she does, that will be just what we want. Miss Oakley will
jaw us, of course, but she'll make inquiries too, and when she finds
out what a rotter Miss Burton is, she'll dismiss her right away. Let
her go to Miss Oakley if she likes, it will be all the better. Who'll
sign on to down books for Miss Burton?"

"I will, for one," cried Jack impetuously.

"And I," cried Phyllis Tressider.

"And I."

"And I."

"And I," echoed round the room.

There were one or two doubtful people, but Dorothy's arguments, aided
by Jack's and Phyllis's persuasions, overcame the most conscientious
individuals. One by one the members of the form gave in and took a
solemn vow that they would not do a stroke of preparation for the new
form-mistress.

At length it came to Gerry's turn to be questioned.

"You'll come in, Gerry, of course," remarked Dorothy, in a nicer tone
of voice than she had ever before used towards the new girl.

For a moment Gerry hesitated. It seemed to her that they had not given
the new form-mistress much of a chance. She might be nicer in a day or
two--it would surely be kinder to wait a little while before declaring
such open war upon her. But, on the other hand, it seemed as though a
door had been suddenly opened which would lead to all the things Gerry
most longed for--popularity, the sympathy of her form, Jack's coveted
friendship. All the while Dorothy and Jack had been arguing with and
persuading the other waverers to join the strike, Gerry had been
battling strenuously within her own heart. She wanted, oh, so badly!
to throw in her lot with the rest of the form. Marks and favour with
the mistresses meant so little in comparison with all the other
important aspects of school life. Jack's hand was on her shoulder,
Jack's friendship lay open to her--Gerry instinctively felt--if she
would only throw in her lot with the rest of the Lower Fifth. And
after all, why shouldn't she? She had really had more provocation than
any of the others, for it was she who had suffered the unjust and
humiliating punishment. She looked at Jack, and at the eager
expression on Jack's face she threw her conscientious scruples to the
winds.

"Yes, I'll come in," she said, and Dorothy turned to the rest of the
form with an air of triumph.

"That's all right, then. We're all in it. What prep has that old
beast set us for to-night? Learn by heart that speech of