ns. A few favoured brains in
the form enjoyed them, but the majority, including Lesbia, heaved sighs
of relieved emancipation when the inky ordeal was at last over.

Immensely to her own amazement, Lesbia had scraped through in
everything. It was the first time in her school career that she had
passed without a single failure. In all honesty she gave the credit to
Kitty's and Joan's blazing coaching, but she nevertheless was surprised
at her achievement.

"I never thought I could have done it," she acknowledged.

"It only shows what you _can_ do if you try," crowed the complacent
Pattersons, immensely gratified that their wobbling protegee was proving
a success in the race for laurels. For Lesbia had come out sixth in the
form--actually sixth, a position which astounded Miss Pratt as much as
anybody. She had not made a big score over any one exam, but the
aggregate of her marks had mounted up, so that, though she was long
behind such brilliant records as those of Regina, Carrie, or Kathleen,
she was above Marjorie and Aldora, who had failed in certain subjects.

"I'm very pleased with your results," said Miss Tatham, meeting Lesbia
in the passage; "it shows me you've really been working. You must go on
now and keep up the standard."

At which Lesbia, quite overwhelmed with such sudden praise from the head
mistress, gurgled something indistinguishable and fled from the
interview the instant she felt herself duly dismissed.

A question that had been troubling Lesbia considerably was the matter of
the summer holidays. She wondered what the Pattersons were going to do
with her. She had ventured several hints on the subject, but they had
ignored them and had not condescended to enlighten her in the least. She
most devoutly hoped that they were not arranging for her to take another
temporary post as nursery governess. She was tired out after her term's
work, and not at all disposed to cope with children. She felt that her
holiday ought to be a real rest. She mentioned some of her troublous
anticipations to Regina.

"You'd better come and stay with us," the latter blurted out
immediately. "We're going to our cottage in Wales."

"Oh, but perhaps your mother won't want me."

"_Any_body would want you. The thing is who's going to be lucky enough
to get you?"

Lesbia knew enough of life to discount most of Regina's ecstatic
remarks, and to understand that her friend's anxiety for her company did
not by any means involv