"Yes, _you_, darling! Don't you see you have an absolutely unique opportunity? You're the only girl in the school who is in touch with both sides. You can get at both the boarders and the day girls. The hockey season is over, and I suppose next term you'll be starting tennis and cricket?" "Yes, so we shall." "Well, suppose directly you get back to Harlingden you propose a United League of all Silversiders to win credit for the school. You could set about it very tactfully, and sound your principal parties first." "_I?_ But they'd think it such cheek! A Fifth Form girl, and only a weekly boarder." [Illustration: AVELYN AND THE LAVENDER LADY] "And Gideon said, 'Wherewithal shall I save Israel? I am the least in my father's house'," quoted Miss Carrington. "On the contrary, I think it's the chance of a lifetime. I believe you're the one girl to do it. It would be something worth accomplishing, wouldn't it, to unite the school?" "Rather!" "Is there any public occasion when you could bring forward the suggestion?" "Yes; there's the School Council on the first Wednesday of term. Anybody is allowed to put things to the meeting, and votes are taken." "You couldn't have a better opportunity. Talk in private to the girls first, and persuade a number of them from both sides to be ready to back you up. Then state your proposal. By the by, what are the Silverside colours?" "Pale-blue and navy." "And the old Hawthorn colours?" "Navy and pink." "If you're wise, you'll amalgamate them, and ask Miss Thompson to let you have new badges of pale-blue, pink, and navy. I believe it might just make all the difference to the state of feeling." "Perhaps you're right. But I still feel afraid--it's a big thing to attempt, and I don't know whether I can screw up the courage. Suppose I fail? Suppose they only laugh at me, and tell me to mind my own business?" "You won't fail! You mustn't _think_ failure! Make up your mind beforehand that you're going to succeed, and that what you say will persuade them. Oh, Ave darling, do try! It would be such a grand thing. There are those two great streams of girls, each running its own way. They only need a thin barrier removed to make them into one mighty river. Some common purpose should unite them. Perhaps in their heart of hearts they're all secretly longing for union. Who knows? Can't your hands lead them together? You said once you'd do anything for my sake." "So I did--and I mean it!" "Then take up this crusade, and be a Red Cross Knight for the School Colours!" "For the School Colours and for you, dear Lavender Lady!" said Avelyn, kissing the soft hand in token of her vow. CHAPTER XVIII The Loyal School League