The members of VB often congratulated themselves that their special classroom was decidedly larger than that of the Sixth or of VA. They were apt to boast of their superior accommodation, and would never admit the return argument that being so much larger a form, their room really allowed less space per girl, and was therefore actually inferior to its rivals. On one February evening the whole nine were sitting round the fire, luxuriating in half an hour's delicious idleness before the bell rang for "second prep.". Those who had been first in the field had secured the basket-chairs, but the majority squatted on the hearth-rug, making as close a ring as they could, for the night was cold, and there was a nip of frost in the air. "Now, don't anybody begin to talk sense, please!" pleaded Betty Scott, leaning a golden-brown head mock-sentimentally on Annie Pridwell's shoulder. "My poor little brains are just about pumped out with maths., and what's left of them will be wanted for French prep. later on. This is the silly season, so I hope no one will endeavour to improve my mind." "They'd have a Herculean task before them if they did!" sniggered Annie. "Betty, your head may be empty, but it's jolly heavy, all the same. I wish you'd kindly remove it from my shoulder." "You mass of ingratitude! It was a mark of supreme affection--a kind of 'They grew in beauty side by side', don't you know!" "I don't want to know. Not if it involves nursing your weight. Oh, yes! go to Barbara, by all means, if she'll have you. I'm not in the least offended." "That big basket-chair oughtn't to be monopolized by one," asserted Evie Bennett. "It's quite big enough for two. Here, Deirdre, make room for me. Don't be stingy, you must give me another inch. That's better. It's rather a squash, but we can just manage." "You're cuckooing me out!" protested Deirdre. "No, no, I'm not. There's space for two in this nest. We're a pair of doves: "'Coo,' said the turtle dove, 'Coo,' said she". "I'll say something more to the point, if you don't take care. What a lot of sillies you are!" "Then please deign to enlarge our intellects. We're hanging upon your words. Betty can stop her ears, if she thinks it will be too great a strain on her slender brains. What is it to be? A recitation from Milton, or a dissertation on the evils of levity? Miss Sullivan, your audience awaits you. Mr. Chairman, will you please introduce the lecturer?" "Ladies and gentlemen, I hasten to explain that owing to severe indisposition I am unable to be present to-night," returned Deirdre promptly. "Oh, Irish of the Irish!" laughed the girls. "Did you say it on purpose, or did it come unconsciously?" "I wish I were Irish. Somehow I never say funny things, not even if I try," lamented Dulcie. "Because you couldn't. You're a dear fat dumpling, and dumplings never are funny, you know--it's against nature."