"Well, it isn't. It's first-prize winner, and the second and third prizes have been won by 'Redlands' and 'The College'."
"And where do the Sixth come in?"
"They're out altogether."
"Oh! What a spiffing score for Va."
The prize awarded for the successful scrap album was a pretty little clock, with an inscription recording the event and the date. It was placed upon the mantel-piece in the form room, and regarded with great pride and satisfaction by its owners.
"So nice to have a clock in the room," rejoiced Carrie. "It helps you on if you can keep looking at it during lessons."
"We might even set it to go a little fast," suggested Ermie hopefully.
"No use, old sport! Miss Pratt wouldn't stop prating till the bell rang, however fast the clock was."
"I suppose not. However, perhaps she'll see it, and notice the time, and not think it worth while beginning anything fresh at about five minutes to."
"Ermie Hall, you're a bright enough girl, but if you think Miss Pratt will ever remit one jot or tittle of our work you've read her character wrong, and that's the fact. Nails aren't in it for hardness. Crow as loud as you like about the clock, but don't congratulate yourself it's going to help lame dogs over stiles, because it won't. Do you take that in?"