Mrs.Arnold had been ill, and then had gone away to recruit her health, and no one was able to take her place as "Guardian of the Fire".

She was recovered now, and at home again, and had promised to help to make up for lost time by superintending a gathering at the beginning of the new term.

It was to be held in the big hall of the school, though the girls begged hard to have it out-of-doors, pleading that on a fine evening they could keep perfectly warm, and it would only resemble a Fifth of November affair.
"That may be all very well for you, but I'm not going to risk Mrs.
Arnold's catching cold," returned Miss Bowes; which argument put a final stop to the idea.
"We'll have ripping fun in the hall, if we can't be outside," beamed Addie.

"I always enjoy a stunt." "What's a stunt ?" asked Rona.
"A stunt?
Why, it's just a stunt!" "It's an American word," explained Lizzie.

"It means just having any fun that comes.