sense of being a square peg, which fitted into none of
the round holes of her world; the wisdom she had got, the experience
she was richer by, had, in the process of equipping her for life,
merely seemed to disclose her unfitness. She could not then know that,
even for the squarest peg, the right hole may ultimately be found;
seeming unfitness prove to be only another aspect of a peculiar and
special fitness. But, of the after years, and what they brought her, it
is not the purport of this little book to tell. It is enough to say:
many a day came and went before she grasped that, oftentimes, just
those mortals who feel cramped and unsure in the conduct of everyday
life, will find themselves to rights, with astounding ease, in that
freer, more spacious world where no practical considerations hamper,
and where the creatures that inhabit dance to their tune: the world
where are stored up men's best thoughts, the hopes, and fancies; where
the shadow is the substance, and the multitude of business pales before
the dream.

In the meantime, however, the exodus of the fifty-five turned the
College upside-down.

Early the following morning Laura made her final preparations for
departure. This, alas! was not to be on so imposing a scale as the
departures of her schoolfellows. They, under special escort, would have
a cab apiece, and would drive off with flying handkerchiefs and all
their luggage piled high in front. Whereas Laura's box had gone by van:
for she and Pin, who was in Melbourne on a visit, were to spend a
couple of days at Godmother's before starting up-country. Even her
farewells, which she had often rehearsed to herself with dramatic
emphasis, went off without eclat. Except for Miss Chapman, the
governesses were absent when the moment came, and Miss Chapman's mind
was so full of other things that she went on giving orders while she
was shaking hands.

But Laura was not destined to leave the walls, within the shadow of
which she had learned so much, as tamely as all this. There was still a
surprise in waiting for her. As she whisked about the corridors in
search of Mrs. Gurley, she met two girls, one of whom said: "I say,
Laura Rambotham, you're fetched. Your pretty sister's come for you."

"My ... who?" gaped Laura.

"Your sister. By gum, there's a nose for you--and those whopping eyes!
You'll have to play second fiddle to THAT, all your days, my dear."

On entering the reception-room Laura tried hard to see