"Miss Carewe," said the smooth, cool voice, "some of the young ladies want to go to the theatre to-night. School does not begin until to-morrow; there are no duties to occupy their time and attention, and we are, of course, liable to an epidemic of homesickness and hysteria. Under the circumstances the theatre idea is a good one. It will distract their minds. I have selected a suitable play, and you will chaperon. The teachers who have been here before will be needed to assist me with certain preliminary arrangements to-night. Moreover, you seem to be cheerful, and at present the young ladies need to be inoculated with cheerfulness. Be very careful, however, to be dignified first and cheerful afterward. Remember, however young you may look or feel, you are a teacher with responsibility upon your shoulders. You must make the pupils understand that you cannot be overrun, even though you are young. Unless you take a very wise stand from the first your position will be difficult and you will be of no value to us. Be reasonable but uncompromising." Belinda had been listening attentively. Already she began to hear the whirring of wheels within wheels in this work of hers, began to understand that in city private-school life "face" must be preserved as religiously as in Chinese ceremonial circles; but she recognised in Miss Lucilla a woman who understood her problem, and she found this middle-aged spinster, with the keen eyes, the Roman nose, the firm lips, and the grande-dame manner, interesting. "How many girls will go?" she asked meekly. "Twelve." Belinda gasped. Twelve strange, homesick girls! She wondered if they would all be as big as the two with Miss Emmeline. "The theatre is the Garrick. You will start at five minutes of eight." Miss Lucilla turned to her desk. The interview was finished. No one ever lingered after Miss Lucilla had said her say. Belinda went back to her room. On the way she met Miss Barnes. "Where is the Garrick Theatre?" she inquired. The teacher of mathematics stopped and looked at her. "Thirty-fifth Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Walk over and take the stage or the Sixth Avenue car. Make the girls walk in twos and the couples close together. Walk behind them. Watch them. They'll stand it. Don't let them laugh or talk loud or giggle like idiots. I suppose you may as well get broken in first as last." The voice and manner were brusque, but the eyes had a kindly gleam, and Belinda was devoutly thankful for the information so curtly given. "Do they ever cry in the street cars?" she asked with an air of grim foreboding. Miss Barnes's eyes relented still further. "No, but they flirt in the street cars." "Not really." Belinda's tone expressed incredulous disgust.