"You needn't think you're going to play these tricks with impunity," she said. "You'll report yourself to-morrow at the monitresses' meeting at four o'clock. We'll see what the head of the school has to say to you!" "Delighted, I'm sure! I've got my _Hamlet_, anyhow," chuckled naughty Gipsy, as she disappeared into the lecture hall. On this occasion I am afraid she was not altogether innocent of cause of offence, and had taken a distinct pleasure in defying Doreen. Perhaps she thought, on maturer consideration, that she had gone a trifle too far, for she turned up at the monitresses' meeting with a countenance sobered down to the requirements of so solemn a convocation. "Gipsy Latimer, you are here to report yourself for insubordination," began Helen Roper with dignity. "Do you realize that monitresses are officers in this school, and that their authority is only second to that of the mistresses?" Gipsy took a clean handkerchief from her pocket, and, unfolding it ostentatiously, blinked hard. "I realize it now," she answered, with a something in her voice that might have been either laughter or tears; "I'm afraid I was very ignorant before." Helen glared at her suspiciously. Was that a twinkle in the dark eyes? But no; Gipsy was looking grave in the extreme. "The monitresses must be obeyed," continued the head of the school. "Every girl at Briarcroft knows that, and anyone who deliberately disobeys incurs the penalty of being reported to Miss Poppleton." The corners of Gipsy's mouth were drooping; her face had assumed an expression of abject penitence. "Please don't do that to me!" she pleaded humbly. "Remember how badly I've been brought up! If I'd been at Briarcroft all the time, instead of other schools, and had had the advantage of the monitresses, I might have been different." "I expect you would," said Helen freezingly. "And you'll please to remember that now you're here, you'll have to conform to our standards." "I know I'm a heathen. I'll be only too grateful to be taught better," murmured the subdued voice that was so strangely unlike Gipsy's usual sprightly tones. Lena Morris turned away to hide a smile. She was possessed of a strong sense of humour, and moreover had a sneaking liking for Gipsy. "Mind you do as you're told next time, then," commanded Helen. "I'll excuse you this once, but if it happens again, I warn you that I shall send you straight to Miss Poppleton. You may think yourself very lucky to be let off so easily. You can go now." Gipsy's big brown eyes looked like two wells absolutely overflowing with gratitude and humility. "Thanks so very immensely much! It's far more than I deserve!" she sighed, and, flaunting the clean handkerchief, beat a hasty retreat. The monitresses would have been edified if they could have seen the war dance she executed in the passage as soon as the door was shut.