"I shan't be content till I can dive," declared Gwen, watching enviously as Elspeth Frazer took a header. "I shouldn't think it's difficult when you get the knack. It will be just having the pluck to try. I can float the least little scrap already, so I've learnt something this afternoon, and so have you." "We shall both get on grandly at the lessons," assented Netta. The whole Form agreed unanimously that the experiment was "ripping", and everyone was extremely anxious to come again. Gwen went home mad with enthusiasm, and Lesbia, whose Form had preceded the Fifth, was in equal ecstasies. Both besieged their father with wild entreaties to be allowed to take the course. "You haven't told me the fees, and that's a very important point," said Mr. Gascoyne. "I quite forgot to ask," admitted Gwen, brought down to the mundane side of the question. "Lesbia, do you know?" Lesbia shook her head. She rarely knew anything; as a rule other people were ready to manage her affairs for her. "Miss Douglas says the swimming course is to be half a guinea each, and admission to the baths threepence a time. There is a special arrangement for schools," said Winnie, supplying the needed information. "Then I must think it over," returned Father. "Times are bad just now, chicks, and I don't know whether I can afford it. A curacy is not a fat living, remember, and there are seven of you!" Very much sobered, the enthusiastic bathers betook themselves to their preparation. "I wish everything nice didn't cost money!" sighed Gwen. She broached the subject to Beatrice during the evening. "I've been talking about it to Father," said the latter. "I'm afraid he can't manage it for you both, but he might possibly for one. It will be a choice between you and Lesbia." "I'm the eldest!" urged Gwen quickly. "Yes, I know you are, but on the other hand, it really is Lesbia's turn, because you took the St. John's Ambulance last winter at the Parish Room, and Lesbia didn't." "Swimming's a million times nicer than ambulance!" "It's not any more useful. Don't be selfish, Gwen! You know how hard up we are. We can't all of us do everything, and I think this time it certainly ought to be Lesbia." Gwen kicked the orchard gate against which they were leaning, and tried to keep down a lump that rose in her throat. Beatrice's arguments were unanswerable. "It'll be sickening to be the only one in the Form who doesn't take swimming," she said at last. "Every single girl will join except me. I shall have to stop behind and do prep. instead. I'll feel more utterly out of things than ever." "You could pay for the course yourself, if you like," suggested Beatrice. "What have you done with all your money?" Gwen's restless hands were hacking notches on the top bar of the gate. Her penknife slipped suddenly, and cut her finger. "Your own fault, if you will be so clumsy!" said Beatrice. "Come indoors, and I'll tie it up for you. You'd better hold it under the cold-water tap first."