Her temper, not always her strong point, displayed a degree of irritability that drove her family to the verge of mutiny.
"Really, Winona, I don't remember you so fractious since you were cutting your teeth!" complained her much-tried mother.
The days dragged slowly by.

Winona had never before realized that each hour could hold so many minutes.

On the morning of the 15th she came down to breakfast with dark rings round her eyes.
"I shall be glad to be put out of my misery!" she thought, as the postman's rap-tap sounded at the door.
Mamie made a rush for the letter-box, and returned bearing a foolscap envelope addressed to: MISS WINONA WOODWARD, Highfield, Ashbourne, nr.

Great Marston.
Winona opened it with trembling fingers.

But as she read, her face flushed and her eyes sparkled.
"I have much pleasure in informing you" (so ran the letter) "that the Governors of the Seaton High School have decided to award you a Scholarship tenable for two years...." In silence she passed the paper to her mother.
"Congratulations, dear child!" cried Mrs.Woodward, clapping her hands.
"It's the unexpected that happens!" "Oh, my goodness!" ejaculated Percy.