Robina had the wonderful faculty of jumping at conclusions. She caught at the sense of a thing in a flash. She had also an amazing memory. It was not the least trouble to Robina to learn a long poem by heart. She also remembered every single word told her by her teachers. She had never before been taught in the manner she was taught at school; but already she was amassing knowledge in a marvellous way. Notwithstanding all Harriet's efforts, Robina, without the slightest trouble, kept at the head of the class. Every day Harriet tried to supplant her, or, rather, to get back her old position, but every single day she tried in vain. Robina kept her place in class, and the other girls now openly said to Harriet that she had not a chance. "You have met your master," they said, "and you may as well accept the position at once." It was by no means in Harriet's nature to accept any such position, and her lanky little figure and pale face seemed to bristle all over with suppressed passion when she was addressed in this way. On the night before Ralph was to make his decision with regard to the school-mothers, Harriet said a word to Jane. "By this time to-morrow," said Harriet, "we shall know everything." "Oh, yes; I suppose so," said Jane. Then she added quickly: "I wish he had not come to the school." "Who do you mean by that?" asked Harriet. "Ralph--I wish he had not come." "It can't make any matter to you," said Harriet. "It does," said Jane. "He is a nice little boy. I like him just awfully. He won't be happy with you." "What do you mean by that?" said Harriet. Jane was silent. "You think," said Harriet, in a low tone, "that I am sure to be selected by Mrs Burton as his school-mother?" Jane nodded her head. Her little round face was quite flushed, and her black eyes were shining. "Did he say anything to you," asked Harriet, in great excitement. Jane nodded. Harriet felt her heart beating fast. She suddenly put her long, thin arm round Jane's neck, drew her up to her, and kissed her. "Then you have helped me," she said. "I knew you would. I won't forget it when the holidays come." Just then some other girls appeared in view, and Jane and Harriet had to separate. The other girls walked on arm-in-arm. They consisted of Rose and Vivian Amberley, Patience Chetwold and Robina. Robina was not quite _au fait_ to the ins and outs of the school. She still lived more or less in a world of her own. Now, she was rather surprised when Vivian, who was leaning on her arm, gave it a violent tug, and said in a smothered voice, which only reached Robina's ears: "Oh, I am quite unhappy!"