rs look pale you may believe it was at
long range, for I never saw Poll the entire evening that she
wasn't completely surrounded and hidden from view by a flock of
dress suits. Wait until you see the green dress and you'll
understand why.

"Polly says she promised to tell you about Fanny's triumph and
forgot to. Personally, I'm glad she left me something easy. I know
it will amuse you. It happened the first night we got here. There
were a lot of Fanny's friends at dinner and in the evening we
played games and Caroline sang. Poll has described her, but not
her voice. It's one of those big throaty ones that quaver, and she
sings the most dramatic of love songs. I hated it, it was so
affected. Well of course, everybody raved about it and
complimented her and asked for more. They didn't really want it,
but Caroline has a way of insisting upon the center of the stage.

"She didn't stop until everybody was thoroughly tired of her and
of music generally. Then Polly surprised every one by saying quite
calmly: 'Fanny I wish you'd sing for us now.' Caroline couldn't
understand. 'Why, Fanny can't sing,' she said. I don't think she
meant to, but it was out before she could stop it. I was cross.

"'Oh, yes, she can,' I told her, 'the girls at school are crazy
about her voice. Sing that pretty French song Fanny.' Poll joined
in and we teased so hard that she finally did sing.

"Bet, I do wish you could have seen those people, they were
overcome with astonishment. They were so used to Caroline talking
of nothing but her voice that they had never thought of Fanny.
But after that first song, I thought they would never let her
stop. There, that's the story. Caroline hasn't been asked to sing
since and Polly and I are mean enough to be just as pleased as
punch. I must stop this instant. We'll see you next week at good
old Seddon Hall. In the meantime, loads of love. I won't be sorry
to get back. How about you?

"Affectionately,
"LOIS."

CHAPTER XIV

MAUD'S DISAPPEARANCE

There was no need to consult the calendar. The subdued voices, and the
worried frowns, to be seen in any of the corridors or classrooms of
Seddon Hall proclaimed it the first of February, and examination week.
Every girl carried a book under her arm and the phrase, "Do you think
you passed?"