"Have you noticed that something is going on, and that Amelia Bowers is at the bottom of it?" Belinda looked up from her millinery for one fleeting instant of scorn. "Have I noticed it? Am I stone blind?" Miss Barnes ignored the sarcasm. "But what are they doing? The light-headed set is crazy over something, and I suppose there's a man in it. They wouldn't be so excited unless there were. Now, who is he? What is he? Where is he?" "Search me," replied the Youngest Teacher with a flippancy lamentable in an instructor of youth. "I suppose Amelia is making a fool of herself in some way. Sentimentality oozes out of that girl's pores." "And yet I'm fond of Amelia," protested Belinda. Amelia was one of the twelve who had witnessed the Youngest Teacher's first disastrous experiment in chaperoning and had remained loyally mute. Miss Barnes shook her head. "My dear, I can stand sharp angles, but I detest a human feather pillow. Push Amelia in at one spot and she bulges out at another. It's impossible to make a clean-cut and permanent impression upon that girl." The teacher of mathematics always stated her opinions with a frankness not conducive to popularity. Belinda laughed. "It ought to be easy for you to find out what the girls are giggling and whispering about," continued Miss Barnes. "They are so foolish over you." "I hate a sneak." "But, Belinda----" "Yes, I know--the good of the school and all that. I've every intention of earning my salary and being loyal to Miss Ryder. I'll keep my eyes open and try to find out why the girls are whispering and hugging each other; but if you think I'm going to get one of the silly things into my room, and because she's fond of me hypnotise her into a confidence, and then use it to bring punishment down on her and her chums--I'm not!" "But what do you suppose is the trouble?" asked the Elder Teacher. "I don't believe there is any trouble. Probably Amelia's engaged again. If she is it's the sixth time." "That wouldn't stir up the other girls." "Wouldn't it? My dear, you may know cube roots, but you don't know schoolgirls. An absolutely fresh engagement is enough to make a flock of girls twitter for weeks. If there are smuggled love letters it's convulsing, and if there's parental disapproval and 'persecution' the thing assumes dramatic quality. Probably all the third-floor girls gather in Amelia's room after lights are out, and she tells them what he said, and what she said, and what papa would probably say, and they plan elopements and schemes for foiling stern teachers and parents. Amelia won't elope, though. She won't have time before her next engagement." A bell rang sharply below stairs. Miss Barnes sprang to her feet. "There's the evening study bell. I must go. I'm in charge to-night. But they do elope sometimes. This school business isn't all farce. Do watch Amelia, Belinda." Belinda had finished the hat and was trying it on before the glass with evident and natural satisfaction.