There were, so it seemed, several classes in the competition, some for elementary, and others for secondary schools. Among the latter a prize was offered for the best joint scrap album--the work of any one form--recording the history of the city in writing, photographs, old prints, drawings, newspaper cuttings, or other methods. The idea appealed immensely to VA. They had never before agreed on a joint effort. "It will be ever so much nicer to do it all together," opined Marjorie, "than each to have our own scrap-book, and go sneaking off to get photos of places you hope nobody else has found out." "Yes, when they're all put together it will make so much better a book," agreed Marion. "What about the prize?" ventured Aldora. "Why, of course, they'll give a trophy to the whole form." "Ripping!" "We haven't got it yet, though." "The Sixth will have an innings!" "And we're not the only school in the town, either." "Never mind, we can but try." "And we'll have a jolly good try, too!" "You bet we will." With such a goal to work for it became a point of honour with each individual member of VA to make some adequate contribution to the scrap album. In order that its contents should not be indiscriminately miscellaneous they appointed a committee of selection, and only admitted what was considered entirely worthy. It really gave them a great deal of interest and amusement. Armed with cameras they went out in little parties and took photographs of numerous old buildings, mediæval carvings, or antique objects, such as the town stocks or the ancient pillory. On the whole, owners of property were indulgent, and though a few jibbed at first at admitting a crew of lively schoolgirls into private premises, they relented when the object of the visit was explained to them. Some born collectors in VA turned over the contents of the stalls in the Kingfield Market to find old prints of the city, grandfathers and grandmothers were appealed to and asked to ransack their memories for forgotten legends, and their drawers for sketches or newspaper cuttings. The amount of material forthcoming was really quite considerable. The most unlikely girls would often produce quite choice specimens. It was decided--in committee--that the album should be made of large sheets of brown paper, and that its back should be of dull-green cardboard, painted with a floral design, and the words "Scrap Album, VA, Kingfield High School" in artistic lettering. By general vote the construction of the cover fell to Lesbia. She was the only one in the form who had much initiative in art matters. Nobody else in fact dared to venture upon it. She accepted the honour, inwardly jubilant, but with an outer display of due diffidence. "Oh, I don't think I can!" she objected. "Rubbish! Don't be affected," snapped Calla. "It's got to be done, so you'd best fire away and get a move on with it." "Anybody who could do the lotus pattern on the wall could do a book-back!" declared Carrie.