There yet remained the form trophy to be competed for, winners only in
the previous events being eligible as candidates. To ensure equal
chances for all, the test was to be a handicap race, age and height
being taken into consideration. The judges carefully placed the
competitors, tall Rose Randall getting little advantage over Dorrie
Vernon, though she was two years younger, and Jess Howard being in a
line with Dona Matthews. Githa had been given her starting-point, and
was standing in readiness for the signal, when she noticed her uncle and
aunt arriving upon the scene. How late they were! They had missed almost
the entire programme. Who was that stranger in khaki whom they had
brought with them? They were introducing him to Mrs. Franklin, who was
shaking hands, and finding seats for all three. Some friend of Uncle
Wilfred's, she supposed--but here her reflections were brought to an
abrupt close, for Miss Andrews gave the signal, and the race began.
Owing to the handicaps it was a closely matched affair; all were on
their mettle, and exerted themselves to the uttermost. At first Dona
seemed to be making the best progress, but Dorrie and Ellaline were
coming up fast from behind, and passed her. Githa ran steadily until
the two Sixth Form girls were in a line with her; then with a sudden
spurt, of which she had hardly believed herself capable, she sprang
forward, kept her advantage, and a whole yard in front of them touched
the ribbon. The Fourth rent the air with their cheers. The trophy was by
far the most important event of the afternoon, and the girl who had
secured it for her form was the heroine of the moment. Too much out of
breath for speech, but conscious of her honours, Githa walked back to
receive the congratulations of her comrades. Two medals and the trophy!
She could scarcely believe her good fortune.
Mrs. Boswell, with smiling face, had turned to the prize-table, and Miss
Andrews was marshalling the winners in the order of their events.
"The poor old Toadstool looks quite pretty for once," said Jill Barton,
as Githa, with shining eyes, and cheeks flushed with unwonted colour,
received her two medals and the charming little clock which would
henceforth adorn the mantelpiece of the Fourth Form room.
"When she's through her ugly duckling stage, I believe she'll turn out
rather handsome," agreed Ivy Parkins. "I always said she had good
features, only she looked so drab and depressed. Her expression has
changed lately, and it makes an immense difference. She doesn't scowl
like she used to do."
It was indeed such a bright, beaming, animated girl who expressed her
thanks to Mrs. Boswell, the donor of the clock, that Mrs. Ledbury looked
quite amazed. She beckoned her niece to her side.
[Illustration: "'THIS CONCERNS US VERY MUCH, GITHA. IT'S YOUR
GRANDFATHER'S LAST WILL'"]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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