But when the school was almost half-way through its bread and butter and gooseberry jam, a sudden commotion occurred in the hall.

There was a noise such as nobody ever remembered to have heard at The Woodlands before.
"Thank goodness gracious I've got meself here at last!" cried a loud nasal voice.

"Where'll I stick these things?
Oh yes, there's heaps more inside that automobile! Travelling's no joke, I can tell you; I'm tired to death.

Any tea about?
I could drink the sea.

My gracious, I've had a time of it coming here!" At the first word Miss Bowes had glided from the room, and the voice died away as the door of her private study closed.