"Always optimistic. You're very refreshing, Paddy, my child," remarked the tall girl when the hubbub had subsided. "I came down on the other line with Van, and she could talk of nothing but matriculation." "When every prospect pleases, and only man is vile," sighed Paddy. "Hallo!" as her sharp eyes caught sight of Kitty's school hat resting on the rack. "Here's a new girl. You _are_ a new girl, aren't you? I'm sure I've never seen your face before." Kitty replied in the affirmative, and the tall girl broke in: "Are you really? I'm so sorry I didn't notice it. My name's Eileen Gilbert, and as I happen to be a prefect it's very reprehensible conduct on my part. Do you come from far?" "From Australia," replied Kitty. There were exclamations from the listening girls. "Begorrah!" said Paddy. "But there's a way to come to school for you! Have you been in England long?" "I only landed at Tilbury yesterday. I came over in charge of a friend of ours. She saw me safely in the train for Easthampton and has promised dad she'll keep an eye on me while I'm here." "Poor thing," said Paddy sadly, "and won't she be feeling the loss of it now!" "The loss of what?" Kitty's wits were not quite so sharp at that moment as they usually were. "Her oie, to be sure." "Stop ragging, Paddy," interrupted Eileen. Paddy, a girl with bright black eyes, a merry face and untidy dark hair, merely laughed and turned again to Kitty, who had already taken a great fancy to her. "I don't believe we've ever had an Australian girl at Easthampton before. How old are you?" "Sixteen--and a half." "A little older than me. I am only just sixteen." "Do tell us your name," interrupted one of the smaller girls. "Kitty Despard." "Are you fond of sports?" asked Paddy eagerly. "I've heard all Australians are." "Yes, very much," replied Kitty. "Oh, good! What house are you in?" "Miss Carslake's." "Oh!" Paddy's tone expressed volumes. "That mouldy show! What an impression of Easthampton you'll get! Now, it ought to have been Sheerston's----" "Or Prince's," said Eileen quickly. "Well, Prince's isn't so bad, though it's not up to Sheerston's----" "Yes, it is. It'll be top house this term, you'll see." "No, it won't. But--Carslake's! It's a filthy hole." "What do you mean?" inquired Kitty, feeling a little startled. "Well, it's easily bottom house, and has got a most awful reputation for slacking--which it deserves." Eileen nodded. "Yes, and it used to be top house once. Now it's out of the running even for third place. Only two senior and a few junior prizes went to it last year." "And only one colour in the whole house," added Paddy. "That's Duane, of course, for hockey. I should think she's safe to get her tennis and cricket colours too, this term. But just think of it! Only one in the whole house! Slackers isn't the word for that lot. Miss Carslake sets the example and the girls follow the sheep."