e had her choice
of rackets, for everyone was not only willing but anxious to lend her
the best obtainable. She tried a selection, until she found the one
that suited her best. It was the property of Natalie Preston, who
gladly relinquished it in her favour.

"If it wins the tournament I shall be proud!" declared Natalie.

"'If' is sometimes an important word!" answered Gwen, with a dubious
shake of her head.

On the eventful Saturday every member of the Fifth and Sixth and
numbers of the Juniors turned up at the Pavilion Gardens to watch the
contest. Miss Roscoe and most of the mistresses were there, and many
friends who were interested in the fortunes of Rodenhurst. Most of the
other schools were equally well represented, so that the audience was
a large one. Olga Hunter, who was a pretty girl with chestnut hair,
looked charming in a white dress, and large ribbon knots of pink and
light blue--the Rodenhurst colours--pinned beside her badge. Gwen, in
plain serge skirt and low-necked muslin blouse looked prepared for
business, if not so ornamental as her companion. Winnie had made her a
little bouquet of roses and forget-me-nots to match her colours, and
Beatrice had lent her a pale-blue belt for the occasion.

"I haven't got a hobble skirt, at any rate!" laughed Gwen. "Do you
remember that girl from Ravensfield last year, and how fearfully
hampered she was?"

Gwen was most tremendously excited at the greatness thrust upon her.
To represent Rodenhurst at the tournament seemed honour enough even if
she were vanquished in the very beginning.

"I wish Dad could have been here!" she sighed.

But neither Mr. Gascoyne nor Beatrice could spare the time on this
particular Saturday, so Winnie and Lesbia were the only members of the
family present.

Rodenhurst had been drawn against Hetherby College for the first set,
much to their relief, for Hetherby had no particular reputation. Gwen
and Olga played carefully nevertheless, for, as Olga justly remarked,
"You can never tell beforehand how a school may have improved." The
Collegians were better, certainly, than last year, but their game was
not up to much, and they were easily beaten. At the conclusion of the
first round, Rodenhurst, being among the winning couples, drew again,
and this time was matched against Appleton House. The twins of whom
Betty Brierley had spoken were again champions, and proved no mean
rivals. Gwen had an anxious moment or two when she thought t