tham said. "But now, if
you feel well enough, I think we'd try and get you down to the
sickroom."

"Monica and I will make a carrying-chair of our hands for her," said
Muriel eagerly.

But Gerry disdained all such assistance.

"I'm quite all right. I can walk by myself, thank you very much," she
said, and demonstrated the truth of her words by rising to her feet. A
little sick tremor ran through her as she caught sight of the men
bearing away an inert black mass that had once been Bruno, and she
swayed a little uncertainly. But Miss Caton caught her by one arm, and
Muriel slipped her hand under her other shoulder, and she soon steadied
herself; and the little procession began to make its slow way down the
field.

With the exception of Monica and Muriel, all the other girls had gone
by this time, hurried away by prefects and mistresses--all, that is,
but one, who had somehow managed to elude the vigilance of those in
authority. That one was Jack Pym, and her face was almost as white as
Gerry's own as she came forward and joined the little party. In her
hand she carried a couple of hockey sticks.

"I've got your stick, Gerry," she said rather awkwardly. "I saw it on
the ground and I've brought it along for you."

Miss Caton dropped behind for a moment to speak to Miss Latham and
Monica, and Jack slipped into her vacant place. Gerry's eyes sought
Jack's with a wistful eagerness which was not lost upon the head girl.

"Give Gerry an arm, Jack," Muriel suggested. "She's a bit unsteady on
her pins still."

Transferring both sticks to one hand, Jack hurried to obey. She drew
Gerry's hand through her arm, giving it a squeeze which sent a sudden
thrill of happiness through Gerry's heart.

"Thank you," said Gerry gratefully, as she returned the pressure.
"It's decent of you to have brought my stick along. I'd forgotten all
about it."

That was in effect their reconciliation and the beginning of a
friendship which would long outlast schooldays. But though it was such
a momentous happening to both girls, neither of them said anything in
the least appropriate to the occasion. In fact, the only remark made
by either of them at the moment was passed by Jack, as she glanced at
Gerry's wounded nose.

"My eye, Gerry! You won't half have a lovely countenance to-morrow
morning!" was all she said.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE LOWER FIFTH MAKES AMENDS

Gerry was escorted in safety to the sickroom, where Sister's