hat the experiment was "ripping",
and everyone was extremely anxious to come again. Gwen went home mad
with enthusiasm, and Lesbia, whose Form had preceded the Fifth, was in
equal ecstasies. Both besieged their father with wild entreaties to be
allowed to take the course.

"You haven't told me the fees, and that's a very important point,"
said Mr. Gascoyne.

"I quite forgot to ask," admitted Gwen, brought down to the mundane
side of the question. "Lesbia, do you know?"

Lesbia shook her head. She rarely knew anything; as a rule other
people were ready to manage her affairs for her.

"Miss Douglas says the swimming course is to be half a guinea each,
and admission to the baths threepence a time. There is a special
arrangement for schools," said Winnie, supplying the needed
information.

"Then I must think it over," returned Father. "Times are bad just now,
chicks, and I don't know whether I can afford it. A curacy is not a
fat living, remember, and there are seven of you!"

Very much sobered, the enthusiastic bathers betook themselves to their
preparation.

"I wish everything nice didn't cost money!" sighed Gwen.

She broached the subject to Beatrice during the evening.

"I've been talking about it to Father," said the latter. "I'm afraid
he can't manage it for you both, but he might possibly for one. It
will be a choice between you and Lesbia."

"I'm the eldest!" urged Gwen quickly.

"Yes, I know you are, but on the other hand, it really is Lesbia's
turn, because you took the St. John's Ambulance last winter at the
Parish Room, and Lesbia didn't."

"Swimming's a million times nicer than ambulance!"

"It's not any more useful. Don't be selfish, Gwen! You know how hard
up we are. We can't all of us do everything, and I think this time it
certainly ought to be Lesbia."

Gwen kicked the orchard gate against which they were leaning, and
tried to keep down a lump that rose in her throat. Beatrice's
arguments were unanswerable.

"It'll be sickening to be the only one in the Form who doesn't take
swimming," she said at last. "Every single girl will join except me. I
shall have to stop behind and do prep. instead. I'll feel more utterly
out of things than ever."

"You could pay for the course yourself, if you like," suggested
Beatrice. "What have you done with all your money?"

Gwen's restless hands were hacking notches on the top bar of the gate.
Her penknife slipped suddenly, and cut her finger.

"Your