"You philanthropist!"
"Better wait till you've caught your catch before you bless me!" chuckled Dick.
He was certainly not gone long; he returned almost immediately with a most interesting-looking paper bag in his hand.
"Oh, do tell me, is it chocolate or caramels?" asked Gwen eagerly.
"Find out, madam! Now we'll see if I'm a good shot and if you're a butter-fingers. Are you ready? All right then, here goes! Oh, I say, well caught! Good old girl!"
"Told you I'd do it. Thanks most awfully! Have you kept any for yourself? Then take—"
"Gwen Gascoyne!" said a stern voice suddenly at her elbow.
Gwen jumped as if she had been shot, and turning guiltily, found herself face to face with Miss Trent. By the door stood Netta in visible triumph.
"Gwen Gascoyne," said Miss Trent again, "is this the way you conduct yourself when you're left to do your preparation? You're a disgrace to the school—an absolute disgrace! We had thought our Rodenhurst girls could be trusted to behave themselves."
"I was only talking to Dick," urged Gwen in self-defence.