"Why, boys and girls going to school together. I believe they do it in America, and at just two or three places in England. I'm going to pretend that Miss Kingsley's taken it up, and that some boys are coming here. Vivien would be so _fearfully_ excited. Oh! and I'll tell you what"--Patsie's eyes danced--"the most topping notion's just come to me! Let me whisper it!" Audrey bent a wavy brown head with a pale pink hair ribbon to receive the communication, then exploded into ripples of laughter. "Gracie and Sybil! They've got short hair!" she hinnied. "Oh, it will be an absolute stunt!" The confederates did not publish their plans beforehand. Patsie was an experienced joker, and knew that the point would be lost if any hint were to leak out. It was noticeable, however, that in recreation time she paraded round the gymnasium arm-in-arm with Gracie Tatham and Sybil Snow, two tall Fifth Form girls. The fact was commented upon by Vivien herself. "Another of Patsie's sudden friendships!" she remarked. "She doesn't generally have two going at the same time. What's come to her?" "She's weighed down by her responsibility as a monitress, and is trying to spread culture through the school," explained Audrey, with a grave mouth, but an irrepressible twinkle in her eyes. "Culture! Great Minerva! I'm sorry for the school if it takes Patsie as a model!" Vivien, like most of us, was a mixture of faults and virtues. One of her strong points was punctuality, and on this Patsie counted. She was nearly always one of the first to enter the cloak-room in the mornings. She liked to look over her lessons and set her books in order. On the following Thursday she turned up as usual at about a quarter to nine, and found, to her surprise, that Patsie and Audrey had already taken off their hats, and were tidying their hair in front of the mirror. "_You_ here! Wonders will never cease! What's brought you out so early? Dear me, there's a large amount of titivating going on! Is all that for Miss Turner's benefit?" Patsie deliberately fluffed out her hair, twisted a kiss-curl round her finger, and readjusted her slide before she answered: "Haven't you heard the news?" she said abstractedly, pushing aside Audrey, who was trying to edge her from the mirror. "What news?" "Miss Kingsley's trying a new venture. I think you'll get a surprise when you go into our class-room!" "Of course some boys' schools have really had to be given up for lack of masters, so what else can be done while the war's on?" added Audrey. "What d'you mean?" "I won't exactly tell you, but I can give you a hint. Look over there!" and Patsie nodded in the direction of the window. Hanging on hooks were two boys' overcoats and caps. Vivien gazed at them as if thunderstruck. "Not co-education!" she gasped. "I don't know what you call it," said Audrey, "but I think it will be rather a stunt. Come along, Patsie, and have first innings!"