Liverpool were fast
wearing out, and there seemed not the slightest prospect of renewing any
of them. In a school where the girls were always well, if simply
dressed, it was not pleasant to be the only one in worn skirts,
washed-out blouses, patched boots, mended gloves, and faded hair
ribbons. Gipsy had never before been stinted in either clothing or
pocket-money, and it hurt her pride sorely. But in spite of her shabby
attire she looked a distinguished little figure, with her straight,
upright habit of carriage, and quick alertness of manner. The sadness in
her dark eyes gave her a new dignity, and though a few girls might pass
ill-natured remarks about her clothes, her general prestige in the
school remained the same. There was an individuality about Gipsy which
marked her out, and raised her above the ordinary level. She was full of
original ideas, and had a persuasive way of stating her views that
invariably won her a following. The girls were becoming accustomed to
consult her on any important topic, and tacitly if not openly regarded
her as the Captain of the Lower School. With some the fact that she was
"down on her luck" invested her with a flavour of romance, more
especially as she was very reserved on the subject.

"I never dare ask Gipsy a word about her father," said Hetty Hancock.
"She shuts up like an oyster if one throws out the faintest hint."

"Do you think she still believes in him?" queried Mary Parsons.

"Rather! And I admire her for it. She's shown splendid spirit all this
time, and never once given in. She's a real Spartan."

"Yes, Gipsy's as game as can be," commented Dilys. "She never looks
beaten, however hard Poppie snubs her, and Poppie's just abominable
sometimes."

"I'm often dying to help Gipsy," said Hetty. "But one can't help her.
She'd be desperately offended if one offered to lend her pocket-money,
or anything."

"You'd better not try! No, I believe Gipsy's pride wouldn't let her
borrow so much as a yard of hair ribbon, however badly she needed it."

"Rather different from Leonora, who borrows everything she can persuade
people to lend her."

"Don't speak to me of Leonora! I rue the day she came into our
dormitory. She snores at night till I have to get up and shake her. We
call her 'Snorer' now, instead of 'Leonora'. I wish Poppie'd put her in
the attic, instead of Gipsy."

"Trust Poppie not to banish the millionairess! She's ever so proud of
having her at the school."

"