"Nonsense! In my opinion she knew she hadn't the slightest chance of being top. It was just bluff, to annoy us all—particularly Irene."
"As if she could beat our top girl!"
"Look at her marks, girls—failures in all the maths papers, algebra, geometry and arithmetic. I expect she copied most of her maths prep from Nat. She's done badly in French too, though I suppose that isn't surprising as this was her first term at it. I thought she'd do better in English, though."
"And Latin. Everyone made sure the Ablative Absolute would be top and she's only third. Miss Andrews will look blue."
Here Nat, coming out of an absorbed perusal of her marks to see where she had gained her unexpected rise, thought it time someone spoke a word in defence of the absent victim.
"Monica isn't as stupid as that list makes out," she declared firmly. "She's quite intelligent really, but you can't expect her to do good work after the worrying time she's had. Wondering during exams whether she was going to be expelled or not, cut by the rest of the form—how could you expect anyone to do herself justice, to have her mind on her work sufficiently to obtain good results!"
The majority of the form were willing to agree that there was something in this argument, and if they were rather unsettled for the rest of the day, the mistresses made allowances. Two girls at least passed the time in blissful anticipation of the moment when they should present their reports to their people at home. Both had attained their ambitions, Irene in maintaining her place at the top, Nat in escaping at last the teasing jeers and laughter which hitherto had fallen to her lot.
CHAPTER XIV
A RIDDLE IS SOLVED
Miss Julian was talking to Allison in the Principal's room. During periods when she was not taking a class, the Principal often sent for Allison to give her special coaching and to correct and set her studies. This Friday afternoon, however, the Principal was not discussing lessons. Her first words to Allison explained her purpose in sending for the Head Girl.