The pupils were greatly interested, and it was evident that many
intended to strive for the prize. Harry Grafton, on the way home from
school, turned quickly to look at Rob as he asked;

"What's Gwen Harcourt doing these days?"

"I've no idea," Rob answered in a careless manner, and if he had spoken
his thoughts, he would have said that he did not greatly care.

"Well, she's not going to school, and what is queerer than that, she
isn't coming over here to tell us all about it," Harry said.

There were other matters of greater interest to be talked of, and the
two boys soon forgot Gwen.

Gwen Harcourt never allowed herself to be long forgotten, and one
bright afternoon, she decided to run off by herself and have a little
fun of the kind that she liked best.

She stopped first at Aunt Judith's cottage.

She could not have told why she chose first to call there. Aunt Judith
and the little maid had gone down to the parsonage for a call, and
Gwen knocked until she was tired, then paused on the step, trying to
decide where next she would call.

"Stupid that everyone is in school, and won't be out for an hour!" she
said.