"Well now," said Monica disgustedly, "and after all the fibs I told Deirdre Samways! My imagination strained to its furthest capacity for nothing!"
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind. You'd be shocked at all the stories I told on your behalf. Will you hear me say this theorem, to see if I can truthfully put Q.E.D. at the end, please?" and the discussion on netball and hockey was dropped for more serious subjects.
Saturday turned out cold and dry, an ideal day for hockey. The St. Etheldreda's eleven, feeling thoroughly fit and keen, set out in good time to catch the train that was to carry them to the field of action. As Irene and Glenda, two of the last to leave, were walking down the drive towards the gates, a hurrying, panting figure emerged from the house and caught them up before they were out of the school premises. It was Monica.
"Oh, Irene!" she gasped. "Miss Bennett—wants to see you—about something rather important—won't keep you—two minutes."
Irene turned round in surprise. "Whatever does Benny want me for?" she said. "Doesn't she know I'm catching this train?"
"Yes. But she said she wouldn't keep you more than two minutes," the messenger repeated.
"Right-oh! Suppose I must go. You walk on, Glenda, and I'll catch you up afterwards. Luckily we've plenty of time."
Glenda nodded. "Don't run it too close," she warned. "You don't want to miss the train."
"Pas de danger," replied Irene as she turned and hurried back into the school. Monica preceded her into the corridor that led to the Annexe. "This way," she said. "Benny came to your study to look for you, and when I told her you'd just left for the station and offered to run after you she said she'd wait for you there to save time. She didn't want to run any risk of your missing the train."