“But you must try your best. I shall trust you to make a great effort.

I should be very sorry to have to put you down again.

Come with me now, and I’ll take you to your new Form.”

Georgina followed the Principal with her head in a buzzing whirl.

It seemed like a dream to be suddenly translated from the Lower School to the Upper.

She wished she could have had a little time to get accustomed to the idea:

she would have liked a day’s preparation at least,

so as to think the changeover and discuss it at home.

Miss Duff, however, always did things in a hurry;

she never had a moment to waste,

and at present

, she whisked her pupil along the corridor and into the Fifth Form room with almost breathless energy.

“Here’s Georgina Gascoyne, Miss Douglas,” she announced.