The recess bell rang and Five A lost no time filing out to the corridor and thence to tuck shop and gymnasium, but Judith was delayed by her duties as monitress and Nancy was not to be seen when she reached the corridor. Down to the tuck shop sped Judith. "Seen Nancy?" she asked Jane who was rapidly consuming two large buns and an ice-cream cone. "Gone up to her room, I think," said Jane. Upstairs fled Judith without waiting for permission and found Nancy just leaving the "Jolly Susan." "Oh, Nancy, I have been hunting for you everywhere." "Oh, Judy, I was just looking for you. After what Miss Marlowe said--about our friends--I didn't want to wait another minute feeling that you were still angry with me. Do tell me what I did and let me tell you how sorry I am." "And I was looking for you, Nancy, dear--to tell you how horrid I'd been. It was just a little thing not worth mentioning now, but I didn't wait to try to understand. Oh, Nancy, I've missed you so!" And they kissed and were friends. "I wouldn't teach English composition for all the world," said Miss Hilton, eyeing the big pile of sixth-form books which Miss Marlowe was attacking late that evening. "And _I_ wouldn't take all the world _not_ to teach English composition," retorted Miss Marlowe proudly. "Besides," she added with true Irish lucidity, "it isn't English composition I'm teaching. It's Life, and it's the biggest job in the world." CHAPTER XII EASTER HOLIDAYS THE last two weeks of the Easter term were a long and a hard pull. Some of the girls were spurred to study by a remembrance of the reception of the Christmas report at home; father's sarcastic remarks, and mother's distress. In Five A, which was considered a good working form, competition was very keen, and most of the form were putting forth their best efforts to stand high in the term's examination lists. Judith coveted a first place in English literature, partly because of the joy of triumphing, partly because of the pleasure her success would give her parents, and partly because she wanted to show Miss Marlowe how much she had appreciated her classes. This term-end there was no distracting play to interfere with studying, and Judith had a chance to do her best. She tried to look unconcerned when on breaking-up day Form Five A stood up in Big Hall while Miss Meredith read their general proficiency list. "First, Joyce Hewson; Second, Judith Benson." There was such a buzzing in Judith's ears that she didn't hear the next few names. Second! Wouldn't Daddy be pleased! Nancy squeezed her hand. Dear Nancy! and she wasn't even listening to hear where Nancy was placed. "Tenth, Nancy Nairn," read Miss Meredith. "Bully for you and pretty good for me," said Nancy when they had led out of Hall. "Congrats., Judy," said Phyllis heartily. "Joyce had better watch out next term."