"The newly elected officers will come on to the platform," said Miss Conyngham.
Joey arrived on the platform, still feeling rather giddy, and as though she must be someone else, and Miss Conyngham pinned to her frock the little gold star brooch that was her badge of office, and then shook hands.
"I congratulate you, Jocelyn. I think the honour is well earned; I know it will be treated faithfully."
She turned from Joey to Joan Chichester, and invested her. Joey ought to have been standing at attention by that enormous and distinguished personage, whom it was so astounding to think about as the colleague to whom in the future one would say "we." But she was not doing what she ought. From the platform she could see the group by the door, and what she saw put everything else out of her head for the minute—even this wonderful new dignity.
Cousin Greta was there, with Colonel Sturt and Gracie, the latter looking far less superior; and John, jolly and cheery as ever, and leaning on one crutch only instead of two. And beside them Mums, and a tall khaki figure, worn and thin and hollow-eyed; but unmistakable—Father!
Their eyes met; it was only by a supreme effort that Joey forced herself to stand still on the platform and listen to the wonderful things that Miss Conyngham was saying about her.
"To Collegers past and present the election of the Heads of the Upper and Lower School is of supreme importance," she said. "The splendid record of Joan Chichester is well known to us all; we have no doubt as to her fitness for the honour accorded her by Redlands. Jocelyn Graham is a new girl this term, and never before in the history of Redlands has this honour been conferred on a new girl. I am glad that Redlands has broken its tradition in that respect. A great opportunity came to Jocelyn Graham six weeks ago—and she showed herself able to meet it. We are proud of her at Redlands, and believe that in her lives the spirit that has always actuated the Heads of the Upper and Lower School—the spirit which has set our school where it is: a name to be honoured wherever in the world a Redlands girl is found."
The big Sixth Former did not need to touch little Tiddles on this occasion; she was ready.
"Tree cheers for the new Heads of the Upper and Lower School!"
They finished at last, though Noreen, the experienced, declared that there never had been such cheering at Redlands, and Joey could dive through the throng, moving teawards, to her people.