The Luckiest Girl in the School | Page 4

of all the rum shows!" exclaimed Percy. "You and Aunt Harriet
in double harness! It beats me altogether!"
"It's atrocious!" groaned Winona. "I'm a victim sacrificed for the good
of the family. Oh! why couldn't mother have thought of some other
way of economizing? I don't want to win scholarships and go in for a
career!"
"Buck up! Perhaps you won't win! There'll be others in for the exam.,
you bet! You'll probably fail, and come whining home like a whipped
puppy with its tail between its legs!"
"Indeed I shan't!" flared Winona indignantly. "I've a little more spirit
than that, thank you! And why should you imagine I'm going to fail? I
suppose I've as much brains as most people!"
"That's right! Upset the pepper-pot! I was only trying to comfort you!"
teased Percy. "In my opinion you'll be returned like a bad halfpenny, or
one of those articles 'of no use to anybody except the owner.' Aunt
Harriet will be cheated of her prey after all!"
"If Win goes away, I shall be the eldest daughter at home," said Letty
airily, shaking out her short skirts. "I'll sit at the end of the table, and
pour out tea if mother has a headache, and unlock the apple room, and
use the best inkpot if I like, and have first innings at the piano."
"You forget about the nursery governess," retorted Winona. "If I go,
she comes, and you'll find you've exchanged King Log for King Stork.
Oh, very well, just wait and see! It won't be as idyllic as you imagine. I

shall be saved the trouble of looking after you, at any rate."
"What I'm trying to ascertain, madam," said Percy blandly, "is whether
your ladyship wishes to take up your residence in Seaton or not. With
the usual perversity of your sex you pursue a pig policy. When I
venture to picture you seated at the board of your venerable aunt, you
protest you are a sacrifice; when, on the other hand, I suggest your
return to the bosom of your family, you revile me equally."
"You're the most unsympathetic beast I've ever met!" declared Winona
aggrievedly.
When she analyzed her feelings, however, she was obliged to allow that
they were mixed. Though the prospect of settling down at Seaton filled
her with dismay, Percy's gibe at her probable failure touched her pride.
Winona had always been counted as the clever member of the family. It
would be too ignominious to be sent home labeled unfit. She set her
teeth and clenched her fists at the bare notion.
"I'll show them all what I can do if I take a thing up!" she resolved.
In the meantime Mrs. Woodward was immersed in the subject of
clothing. Every post brought her boxes of patterns, amongst which she
hesitated, lost in choice.
"If I knew whether you're really going to stay at Seaton or not, it would
make all the difference, Winona," she fluttered. "It's no use buying you
these new things if you're only to wear them at home, but I'd make an
effort to send you nice to Aunt Harriet's. I know she'll criticize
everything you have on. Dear me, I think I'd better risk it! It would be
such a nuisance to have to write for the patterns all over again, and how
could I get your dresses fitted when you weren't here to be tried on?
Miss Jones is at liberty now, and can come for a week's sewing, but
she'll probably be busy if I want her later. Now tell me, which do you
really think is the prettier of these two shades? I like the fawn, but I
believe the material will spot. What have you done with the lace collar
Aunt Harriet gave you last Christmas? She's sure to ask about it if you
don't wear it!"

Having decided that on the whole she intended to win a scholarship,
Winona bluffed off the matter of her departure.
"I've changed my mind, that's all," she announced to her home circle.
"It will be a great comfort to me not to hear Mamie scraping away at
her violin in the evenings, or Letty strumming at scales. Think what a
relief not to be obliged to rout up Dorrie and Godfrey, and haul them
off to school every day! I'm tired of setting an example. You needn't
snigger!"
The family grinned appreciatively. They understood Winona.
"Don't you worry! I'll set the example when you're gone," Letty assured
her. "I'll be as improving as a copy-book. I wish I'd your chance; I'd
stand Aunt Harriet for the sake of going to a big High School. Younger
sisters never have any luck! Eldests just sweep the board. I don't know
where we come in!"
"Don't you fret, young