esponsibilities consequent on the play, that it was almost impossible to
concentrate her thoughts on the examination work. And yet the
examinations were of far more importance than the play, for Patty was
most anxious to graduate with honours, and she felt sure that she knew
thoroughly the ground she had been over in her studies.

At last examinations were finished, and though not yet informed of her
markings, Patty felt that on the whole she had been fairly successful,
and Friday night she went home from school with a heart lighter than it
had been for many weeks.

"Thank goodness, it's over!" she cried as she entered the house, and
clasping Nan around the waist, she waltzed her down the hall in a mad joy
of celebration.

"Well, I am glad," said Nan, after she had recovered her breath; "now you
can rest and get back your rosy cheeks once more."

"Not yet," said Patty gaily; "there is commencement day and the play yet.
They're fun compared to examinations, but still they mean a tremendous
lot of work. To-morrow will be my busiest day yet, and I've bought me an
alarm clock, because I have to get up at five o'clock in order to get
through the day at all."

"What nonsense," said Nan, but Patty only laughed, and scurried away to
dress for dinner.

When the new alarm clock went off at five the next morning, Patty awoke
with a start, wondering what in the world had happened.

Then, as she slowly came to her senses, she rubbed her sleepy eyes,
jumped up quickly, and began to dress.

By breakfast time she had accomplished wonders.

"I've rewritten two songs," she announced at the breakfast table, "and
sewed for an hour on Hilda's fairy costume, and cut out a thousand gilt
stars for the scenery, and made two hundred paper violets besides!"

"You are a wonder, Patty," said Nan, but Mr. Fairfield looked at his
daughter anxiously. Her eyes were shining with excitement, and there was
a little red spot on either cheek.

"Be careful, dear," he said. "It would be pretty bad if, after getting
through your examinations, you should break down because of this foolish
play."

"It isn't a foolish play, Papa," said Patty gaily; "it's most wise and
sensible. I ought to know, for I wrote most of it myself, and I've
planned all the costumes and helped to make many of them. One or two,
though, we have to get from a regular costumer, and I have to go and see
about them to-day. Want to go with me, Nan?"

"I'd love to go," said Nan,