The Fifth-form Fete By a general indulgence issued from head-quarters, the dismissal bell rang at 3:45 the next Friday afternoon, instead of, as usual, at four o'clock.

The mistresses entered up the marks, put away their books, said "Good afternoon, girls!" and made their exit, leaving the building for once in the sole possession of the pupils.

Miss Strong, indeed, who disapproved of the whole business, took the precaution of locking her desk before her departure, a proceeding which provoked indignant sniffs from the witnesses; but, sublimely indifferent to public opinion, she put the key in her pocket, and stalked from the room.

The girls gave her a few moments' grace to get out of earshot, then broke into a babble of conversation.
"Which are we having first, the election or the tea ?" "Oh, the tea!" "No, no! Business first and pleasure afterwards." "I can't vote till I've had some tea." "It's too early!" "No, it isn't! We're most of us ready for it." "Look here!" suggested Ingred.

"Let's settle it this way.