It was the tradition of the school that the summer fête should be held on the last Saturday in July. Though not the actual breaking-up day, in the estimation of the girls it was almost as good. After Friday's classes there were no more lessons; Monday would be devoted to packing, and on Tuesday all would be speeding away by train to different points of the compass. It was a kind of "do-as-you-please" day; rules were relaxed, and everybody made the most of the holiday. A band of helpers, under the superintendence of the Games Committee, spent the greater part of the morning preparing the playing-field, forms were carried out to accommodate the spectators, hurdles and other obstacles were arranged, and the ground for the long jump freshly raked. "It's frightfully rough on Coralie that she mayn't compete this year!" said Hilda Smart. "She's something wrong with her heart, I believe; anyhow, the doctor has absolutely forbidden it. Poor old Corrie! She's so disappointed! She was ever so keen on winning a medal. She'll just have to sit and watch, like a visitor." "And Tita has blistered her foot, and can't run, so two of us are off," commented Diana. "It's hard luck on the Sixth!" "Never mind; we've got Gladwin and Ellaline! They'll have to brace up for the credit of the form." "Trust them! But some of the Fifth are A1, and may steal a march on us." "Not while Dorrie Vernon's alive! I'd back her against anybody." "Has Katrine Marsden put her name down for anything?" "Only for the bicycle race. She thinks the other competitions hoydenish!" "If you'd called them Olympic contests, and required candidates to come attired in ancient Greek costumes, she'd have been madly enthusiastic!" grinned Diana. "Much jumping one would do in classic draperies!" sniffed Hilda scornfully. "What does that kid want hallooing at us over there?" Novie Bates was running down the field yelling at the pitch of her voice for Diana. "You're to come--at once!" she shouted. "Mrs. Franklin wants you. I saw the telegraph boy coming up the drive." Diana promptly dropped her rake, and fled towards the house, followed by Hilda and the rest. On this most propitious day the results of the Matriculation Examination might be expected to be published, and the three candidates were on the _qui vive_ for news. Mrs. Franklin was standing by the front door, with the yellow envelope in her hand, but she did not divulge its contents until Dorrie and Viola also came hurrying up. "All passed. Viola first division, Diana and Dorrie in the second."