“But you’ll get one yourself,” remarked one of the girls. “You’re bound to get the composition prize.”
“Well that would only be fair,” cried another girl, and for a wonder all the others chimed in “Yes.”
“Don’t be too sure,” observed another, and she nodded her head wisely. “I’ve been watching Jane Shaw lately.”
“But Deborah’s essays are splendid. Jane’s are only very good,” urged a would-be champion.
“Don’t be too sure,” retorted the same wiseacre, and she went to bed.
The next day Jane came to Deborah.
“You will get the composition prize,” she said somewhat ungraciously.
“I don’t think so,” rejoined Deborah, but she knew she was not speaking the truth.
“Yes, you will,” she answered sharply. “I have kept count of our marks for the year.”
“You don’t mean to say you’ve kept count for a year,” said Deborah, in wonderment.