Muriel. Then, without
waiting for an answer to her question, she asked another:

"How did you get on at hockey to-day? Did Alice play you forward?"

"Oh yes, thank you. She put me outside right. And I think I got on
much better," said Gerry eagerly. "I--I am beginning to think I shall
like hockey when I've got a little more used to it," she added shyly.

"That's right!" said Muriel heartily. "I knew you would when once
you'd found your feet a bit. Half the trouble was that you were put to
play in the wrong place. Don't forget that you are playing for the
dormitory again on Saturday."

"It's awfully good of you to give me another chance, Muriel," Gerry
said gratefully. "I _do_ hope I shan't funk again."

"Funk? Of course you won't," came the brisk reply. "Make up your mind
that there's nothing to be frightened of, and funking will be the last
thing you'll want to do. Nobody need ever be afraid of funking if
they'll forget about themselves and just play the game."

"Muriel----" began Gerry suddenly, and then stopped abruptly.

"Well, what's the matter?" asked Muriel.

"Nothing. I--I was going to ask you something, but I don't think--yes,
I will, though!" Gerry added, with sudden determination. "What would
_you_ do, Muriel, if you were doing something that you knew wasn't
right, and yet you'd _promised_ to do it?"

Muriel looked at the younger girl in some perplexity.

"What would I do if I'd promised to do something which I knew wasn't
right?" she repeated slowly. "Well, the best thing would be not to
promise, wouldn't it?"

"I know that," said Gerry. "But if you _had_ promised, what then?
It's wrong to break a promise, isn't it?"

"Yes, but--well, I don't quite know what to say," said the head girl.
"It's rather a difficult question to answer off-hand. So much would
depend upon the circumstances. Couldn't you tell me the whole story?
Then perhaps I'd be able to advise you better."

"I'm sorry--I'm afraid I can't do that," said Gerry desperately,
wondering what on earth had induced her to confide in the head girl at
all. What _would_ Muriel be thinking of her, she wondered. "It would
be sneaking if I did. Can't you possibly tell me what you'd do if it
was you, without my telling you everything?"

"It's rather difficult," said Muriel, frowning. "I don't want you to
tell me things that you ought not. But, at the same time, I really
don't see how I can answer your question until I know