preparation the night before.

"Why, I was in the library just before tea, changing a book, and Monica
was library monitress, and while I was hunting round the shelves
Kathleen Milne came in to look up something for Miss Latham. And they
began to talk about our little affair, and Kathleen said that Muriel
had told her that Miss Latham had told _her_ that it was no end of a
relief to Miss Burton when we caved in. For Burtie was afraid that if
there was another row Miss Oakley would have given her the sack."

"Doesn't sound much like Miss Latham to talk like _that_," said Jack
scathingly.

"Oh, well, of course you don't suppose _she_ said it like that, do you,
donkey?" said Hilda impatiently. "That was what Kathleen said Muriel
said, at least something like. I didn't hear any more, because Monica
saw me listening and shut Kathleen up. Monica's always so awfully
virtuous about not discussing the mistresses."

"It's jolly sickening to think how near we were to getting rid of that
Burton beast," commented Dorothy, with a malicious look at Gerry, who
was sitting forlornly at the table, attempting to engross herself in a
book. "If it hadn't been for German sneaks we should have got her
turned out in a week!"

"Yes--and got ourselves into a jolly fine row into the bargain," said
Jack fiercely. "You're forgetting that part of it, Dorothy Pemberton."

Dorothy opened wide eyes at what she considered was an entirely
unprovoked attack.

"All right, Jack Pym. Keep your hair on!" she retorted, with dignity.
"You seem to forget that you were one of the ones who was keenest on
the strike before that rotten German kid muffed the whole business for
us."

A stifled exclamation came from the table where Gerry was sitting, and
the new girl rose to her feet and hurried out of the room.

A spiteful chuckle came from Phyllis Tressider.

"You seem to have upset German Gerry, Dolly," she remarked to her chum.

Jack sprang to her feet in a sudden flare of temper. The abruptness of
her movement upset the chair she was sitting upon, and she kicked at it
viciously.

"Oh, you two! You are the meanest, caddiest girls in the whole school!
Why can't you leave Gerry in peace?" she stormed angrily.

"My hat! Listen to the preacher!" jeered Dorothy, unperturbed. "I
didn't know you'd turned into such a protector of the helpless, Jack.
You'd better go after your precious friend and console her, if you're
so jolly fond of her as all