"Yes, it is. It'll be top house this term, you'll see."
"No, it won't. But—Carslake's! It's a filthy hole."
"What do you mean?" inquired Kitty, feeling a little startled.
"Well, it's easily bottom house, and has got a most awful reputation for slacking—which it deserves."
Eileen nodded. "Yes, and it used to be top house once. Now it's out of the running even for third place. Only two senior and a few junior prizes went to it last year."
"And only one colour in the whole house," added Paddy. "That's Duane, of course, for hockey. I should think she's safe to get her tennis and cricket colours too, this term. But just think of it! Only one in the whole house! Slackers isn't the word for that lot. Miss Carslake sets the example and the girls follow the sheep."
"Of course you heard the rumour that Doreen was leaving?"
"Not really? Won't it be funny if she does! What with Betty leaving suddenly at the beginning of the year, and now Doreen—why, there won't be one sixth-former left in the house this term. It's the queerest thing I ever heard of. What'll they do about a head prefect?"
"Here's the next stop," said Eileen.
"Look out for Salome. We'll ask her if Doreen really has left. She's sure to know."