"Oh, I didn't know there was someone here," she exclaimed. "I thought all the school would be on the field or out for a walk this lovely afternoon. I shall have to find another lonely nook."
There was no response, although any other girl in the school would have at once jumped to her feet and offered to go instead. Allison knew it, but made no remark as she turned to walk away. Then she altered her mind and turned back suddenly, with a quick, keen look at the slight figure of the girl who sat on the seat, with her legs curled under her, and her dark, short hair tumbling about her forehead as she bent again over her book.
"You are the new girl I introduced to the Fifth, Monica Carr, aren't you?"
Monica looked up in surprise at being addressed and a wary look crossed her face. This was the senior girl of the school, she knew. What had she got to say to her? If she was going to begin to preach to her——
"How do you like the Fifth?" Allison asked in quite a friendly tone.
"I haven't thought much about them. They seem very pleased with themselves always," replied Monica calmly.
Allison laughed. "Oh, they are quite a nice lot really, but they've always been looked upon as a model form because they do their lessons conscientiously, so they've become rather self-satisfied. How do you like Nathalie?"
"Nathalie?" Monica stared uncomprehendingly.
"Nat Sandrich. Nathalie's her real name, you know, but it doesn't fit very well."
"All right," replied Monica indifferently.