When this commotion had subsided Miss Julian continued:
"There is just another little announcement I wish to make. I know how glad you all are to see our last year's Head Girl back among us for yet another year."
Fresh applause, whose sincerity no one could doubt, for Allison Ravenel had been the most popular of all St. Etheldreda's Head Girls and was still the best-liked and most admired girl in the school.
"Unfortunately," Miss Julian went on, "things are not quite the same this year. With very great reluctance Allison has asked me to say that she feels unable to carry out the multitudinous duties of a Head Girl this year. She has returned to study for a university scholarship and as it is a matter of very great importance to her that she should win it if she possibly can, she feels she must devote her whole time and attention to her studies. I have consulted the other prefects and they are extremely anxious that she should not relinquish her position as Head Girl while she is here; they declare that they are ready and willing to undertake her work and to relieve her of most of her duties. I have accepted their kindly offer, and if the rest of the school are willing to back up the prefects in every way I am sure the arrangement will work satisfactorily. Will all those girls who willingly and gladly agree to do so, raise their hands?"
A forest of hands immediately shot up. Miss Julian nodded her satisfaction, then glanced across at the tall, fair-haired, eighteen-year-old Head Girl. "Perhaps Allison wishes to answer you for herself," she suggested.
"I can only say thank you all very much for your kindness," Allison answered. "It was entirely the prefects' idea that I should retain the Head Prefectship. Of course, if at any time they need my help I shall be only too pleased to do anything I can. I did not like trespassing so much on their good nature, but they insisted on it."
Already most of the seniors, at least, knew the reason for Allison's anxiety to win a university scholarship. Her people had recently lost money, and without the scholarship Allison, with several younger brothers and sisters yet to be educated, would be obliged to give up all idea of continuing her education at a university.
A voice came from the back row, the voice of Deirdre Samways, one of the members of the hockey first eleven, saying in anxious tones: "I hope this does not mean that Allison will be giving up games as well. The school cannot afford to lose her services."
Allison answered for herself. "I am resigning the captainship of the hockey club, as I may not be able to attend all the practices and the meetings. But Miss Julian says I should be silly to give up playing, as outdoor exercise is necessary when you are studying hard, so I shall be only too pleased to turn out for matches."
There was a sigh of relief from the hockey enthusiasts, for was not Allison the best centre-half the school had ever possessed and an invaluable pivot for the team?