Miss Mitchell and Miss Fanny retired to the study and the meeting broke up. Most of the day-girls put on their hats and coats in readiness to go home, but hung about the hall until the names should be announced. The contingent from Chagmouth, whose car was stationed outside in the road, and whose driver was waxing impatient, were obliged to depart without the exciting news. Merle went as far as the gate to watch them pack into their 'sardine-tin.' Four sat behind, and two in front with the chauffeur, all quite radiant and thoroughly enjoying themselves. "Good-bye! I hope you'll win!" said Beata, waving a hand to Merle with difficulty, for she was tightly sandwiched between Fay and Tattie. "We did our best for you and Mavis. I didn't know any of those others. Romola, have you got the books? That's all right. I was afraid we'd left the satchel. Yes," (to the chauffeur) "we're quite ready now, thanks! Ta-ta, Merle! Good luck to you! We're off!" Merle, looking after the retreating car, was joined by Aubrey Simpson, rather injured, and disconsolate. "I didn't know all these new girls were to have votes," she grumbled. "How can _they_ choose a monitress when they don't know anybody! It's rather humbug, isn't it?" "They know _me_" perked Merle. "Did you canvass them? Oh, how mean!" "Why mean? You could have done it yourself. Muriel was canvassing among the juniors as hard as she could go." "I might have canvassed among the new boarders! Why didn't I think of it?" wailed Aubrey. "Well, really, it's your own stupid fault! Don't blame me!" snapped Merle. "Iva and Nesta said they didn't mean to ask for votes." "Well, they'd no need to. They were both jolly certain that Miss Pollard would make them monitresses. It's easy to talk loftily when you're sure of your innings." "Did Mavis canvass?" "No--but then, of course, Mavis wouldn't!" "Why not?" "Oh--because she's Mavis! I can't see her doing it somehow. What a long time Miss Mitchell and Miss Fanny are over their counting! I wish they'd hurry up. I want to go home to tea." The girls had not much longer, however, to wait. In the course of a few minutes the new mistress entered the hall and read out the important result. "The polling is as follows," she announced. "Muriel Burnitt . . . 27 Mavis Ramsay . . . 20 Merle Ramsay . . . 19 Edith Carey . . . 14 Aubrey Simpson . . . 12 "The two monitresses elected, therefore, are Muriel Burnitt and Mavis Ramsay." Some of the girls raised a cheer, others took no notice; Miss Mitchell, who seemed in a hurry, vanished back into the study. The boarders, hearing their tea-bell, made for the hostel. "Congrats, Mavis!" said Iva, as she walked away arm-in-arm with Nesta. "I'm glad the lot has fallen on you. Muriel was pretty sure of a walk-over, but it was a toss-up who was to be the fourth. I don't mind telling you I voted for you myself. And so did Nesta, I'm sure."