teacher, however, very soon grasped the fact that Merle knew nothing
about the lesson, asked her to recite, and found that she broke down at
the end of three lines.

"You're absolutely unprepared!" said Miss Mitchell scathingly. "A nice
example for a monitress to set to the rest of the form! Come to the study
at eleven, and report yourself! I'm astonished at you, Merle!"

A very depressed and humiliated monitress entered the study at 'interval'
to receive her scolding.

"I can't understand you! You have been doing so well. Why have you
suddenly slacked off?" asked her inquisitor, who believed in getting to
the bottom of things if a girl shirked her work.

Merle, who was too much upset even to mention her reason, and who had
left the offering inside her desk, said nothing, and only looked
unutterably miserable. Matters, therefore, were at rather a deadlock,
when there was a tap at the door and Mavis entered bearing the precious
parcel.

"Miss Mitchell, _please_! In case Merle won't tell, I've brought
this. She sat up fearfully late last night doing it for you, and that's
why she didn't do her prep. Please excuse me for coming in!" and Mavis
bolted in much confusion.

Miss Mitchell unwrapped the parcel and looked critically at its contents.

"It's very kind of you to have made this for me, Merle," she said, in a
gentler voice. "I only wish it hadn't been at the expense of your