That evening the atmosphere in Nat's study was particularly serene. No clouds disturbed Nat's horizon, for once again her name had appeared in the team for the shield match—not, it is true, in Irene's place, but instead of the other wing, whose play Deirdre and the hockey committee now considered inferior to Nat's. As this was the second time she had been chosen to represent the school Nat now cherished the hope that her permanent place in the team was assured. She was doing her prep with prodigious pains, anxious to run no risk of getting a returned lesson or lines the next morning. So blissful was her state of mind that she even assisted Monica to hang a fresh set of recently-taught data upon the walls, and afterwards volunteered to hear her construe her Latin paragraph. Monica, too, seemed to be in a blithe and happy mood, for she made numerous jokes and witticisms as she worked, without any traces of the old sullen, defiant expression. When in a laughing, happy frame of mind, she really was quite an attractive girl, Nat thought to herself. What a pity it was she was prone to those queer moods and tempers.
Lessons went well and smoothly next morning. Even Miss Bennett wore a beaming smile as she dismissed the Fifth, when the final bell rang, with her best wishes for their success that afternoon. Then there came a general scramble for the dormitories and a hasty change into sports' rig-out, for the team and the girls who had obtained permission to accompany them as spectators were to depart by train as soon as dinner was over.
Allison was changing in her cubicle when Pam tapped and poked her head inside. "Prinny wants you Allison," she said. "A telegram has just arrived for you."
Allison looked up, surprised. "A telegram! Who from, I wonder? I'm not expecting any important tidings."
"Not bad news, I hope," said Pam sympathetically, as Allison hurried out.
Miss Julian was in her room. "Oh, there you are, Allison," she said. "A telegram has just come for you," and she picked it up from the table. Allison took it and tore it open quickly. Miss Julian at once noticed the change in her expression. "Is it bad news, Allison?" she inquired with concern.
Allison nodded. "I'm afraid so," she replied in a low voice and she handed the telegram to the Principal, who read the brief message: "Mother taken ill suddenly. Come at once. Will meet you at Victoria next train—Father."
"This is very sudden, Allison," said Miss Julian gravely. "You have had no previous apprehensions concerning your mother's health, have you?"
"No," replied Allison, her voice shaking a little. "When I last heard from home, mother was perfectly well. I may go, may I not, Miss Julian?"
The Principal was already turning over the leaves of her time-table. "Yes, of course, Allison," she replied, "and we will hope that things may turn out less serious than might be imagined from this telegram. The next train for London leaves at a quarter to two. There will just be time for you to have your dinner, pack a few necessities for the night and catch the train. Do not trouble about packing much. We can soon send on anything you may require later."