It was a difficult matter for thirteen people to cram into seats only intended for the accommodation of ten, but they preferred over-crowding to separation, and cheerfully took it in turns to sit on one another's knees.
"It's more like a beanfeast than the exam.!" laughed Mary Payne, handing round a packet of chocolates.

"I feel I absolutely don't care!" "I feel like a criminal on the road to execution!" groaned Helena Maitland.

"Usedn't they to give the poor wretches anything they asked for?
Oh, yes, thanks! I'll have a chocolate by all means, but it's crowning the victim with a garland of roses!" "Rather mixed metaphors, my child! If you don't express yourself more clearly in your papers, I'm afraid you won't satisfy the examiners!" "I wonder who corrects the papers ?" asked Freda Long.
"Oh! some snarling old dry-as-dust, probably, who's anxious to get through the job as quickly as he can.

It must be a withering experience to go through thousands of papers.

Enough to pulverize your brains for the rest of your life!" "I don't mind the examiners' brains.