In revising the curriculum of 'The Moorings' upon these very modern
lines, Miss Mitchell did not neglect the athletic side. The school did
not yet possess a gymnasium, but there were classes for drill and
calisthenics, and games were compulsory.

"A good thing too!" commented Merle. "Some of the girls are fearful
slackers! They've never been accustomed to stir themselves. Maude Carey
hardly knows how to run. I believe she thinks it's unladylike! And Nesta
would shirk if she could. Those kids need a fearful amount of coaching. I
shall have my work cut out with them."

Merle, owing to her enthusiasm for sports, had been chosen as Games
Captain, and was doing her best to cultivate a proper enthusiasm for
hockey in the school. In this matter she had the full co-operation of the
new mistress. Merle liked Miss Mitchell, whose cheery, breezy, practical
ways particularly appealed to her. Merle was not given to violent
affections, especially for teachers, so this attraction was almost a
matter of first love. She, who had never minded blame at school, found
herself caring tremendously for praise in class. It raised the standard
of her work enormously. She could do very well if she tried. She had
always poked fun at girls who took much trouble over home lessons, and
had been accustomed to leave her own till the last possible moment. It
was certainly a new phase to find her getting out her books immediately
after tea, or practising for half an hour before breakfast. She was ready
to do anything to win notice from Miss Mitchell, and was decidedly
jealous that Iva and Nesta, being boarders, were able to see more of her,
and thus establish a greater intimacy. Merle always wanted to 'go one
better' than the other monitresses. The status of all four was exactly
equal, and so far there was no head girl at 'The Moorings.' Merle had
indeed taken a most prominent part at the general meeting of the school,