"You see!" said Lesbia dolefully, bracing her nerves for the rebuke which, as chief offender, would probably descend most heavily upon her own head.
They were quite mistaken, however, about Miss Pratt's attitude. She highly commended the little performance.
"As an impromptu business it was really very good," she conceded. "It's shown me what you're capable of, and I'm certainly going to put all four of you in my 'Company'."
"We—we didn't know you were listening," faltered Lesbia apologetically.
"So I supposed" (a flicker of a smile crossed her face); "it's always best to live your part and forget your audience. Come to me to-morrow before nine and I'll give you your books. I hadn't fixed up the cast of The Duchess's Dilemma."
Four delighted girls scuttled off to the cloakroom, almost overwhelmed by the suddenness of their good fortune.
"She should!" exclaimed Aldora.
"It's too topping for words," yodelled Cissie.
"Shouldn't have thought Miss Pratt capable of being so sporting," rejoiced Marion.
"She's a griffin sometimes but she's a mascot to-day, bless her," murmured Lesbia. "I wonder, if after all, she rather liked the idea of school mistresses having hearts? If she ever stays away from school with a bad cold or any other excuse I shall think she's taken the tip."