A sealed envelope lay before the Head upon the table. She took it up in her long slim fingers.
"I have now to announce the result of the Election," she said, speaking slowly and clearly, so that her voice reached every corner of the great hall. "I do not need to remind our old girls what that election means to Redlands; it is the visible expression of perfect trust; it means that in the girl chosen to govern the Upper or the Lower School the other girls feel they have someone in whose hands can be safely placed the honour of the school. It is a great trust and a great privilege: the heads of the Upper and Lower School are my right hand, and in their choice I have never found the school's judgment in fault. The great Election took place this morning; the results were checked by the retiring officers and two mistresses, and the successful names handed to me in this envelope, which I now propose to unseal before you all."
She ripped it open and spread out the paper it contained.
A pin could have been heard to drop as she gave out the result of the Election.
"Head of the Upper School—Joan Chichester. Head of the Lower School—Jocelyn Graham."
Joey sitting fizzling with excitement between Noreen and Barbara nearly fell off her form in sheer unbelieving amazement.
"What! it's not me that's it," she whispered frantically, with a lack of grammar that would have horrified Mr. Craigie away at Calgarloch. Noreen gave her a friendly push. "You're not deaf are you, you juggins. Of course it's you. I thought it might be and I'm jolly glad. I voted for you anyway, and so did Syb and Barbara."
Joey feverishly squeezed a hand of both her neighbours. "You are dears!" she said unsteadily.
Ingrid looked round, the Head of the Upper School still, for all she had resigned her dignities. "No talking there!"