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You are very silly to try for that, Hetty, they exclaimed, for Mrs Willis has such
queer ideas with regard to English composition. Of course, we go in for it in a general way, and learn the rules of grammar and punctuation, and so forth, but Mrs Willis says that school-girls themes are so bad and affected, as a rule, and she says she does not think anyone will go in for her pet prize who has not natural ability. In consequence, she gives only one prize for composition between the three first classes. You had better change your mind, Hetty, before it is too late, for much older girls will compete with you, and there are several who are going to try.
Hester, however, only smiled, and assured her eager friend that she would stick to her pet subject, and try to do the best she could.
On the morning when the girls signified their choice of subject, Mrs Willis came into the school-room and made one of her little yearly speeches with regard to the right spirit in which her girls should try for these honours. The few and well-chosen words of the head-mistress generally roused those girls who loved her best to a fever of enthusiasm, and even Hester, who was comparatively a newcomer, felt a great wish, as she listened to that clear and vibrating voice and watched the many expressions which passed over the noble face, that she might find something beyond the mere earthly honour and glory of success in this coming trial. Having finished her little speech, Mrs Willis made several remarks with regard to the choice of subjects. She spoke of the English composition prize last, and here she heightened the interest and excitement which always hung around this special prize. Contrary to her usual rule, she would this year give no subject for an English theme. Each girl might choose what pleased her best.
On nearing these words Annie Forest, who had been sitting by her desk looking rather dull and dejected, suddenly sprang to her feet, her face aglow, her eyes sparkling, and began whispering vigorously to Miss Good.
Miss Good nodded, and, going up to Mrs Willis, said aloud that Annie had changed her mind, and that from not wishing to try for any of the prizes, she now intended to compete for the English composition.
Mrs Willis looked a little surprised, but without any comment she immediately entered Annies name in the list of competitors, and Annie sat down again, not even glancing at her astonished school-fellows, who could not conceal their amazement, for she had never hitherto shown the slightest desire to excel in this department.
On the evening of this Friday the girls of the three first classes assembled for the first time in the South Parlour. Hitherto these meetings had been carried on in a systematic and business-like fashion. It was impossible for all the girls who belonged to these three large classes to assemble on each occasion. Careful selections, therefore, were, as a rule, made from their numbers. These girls formed a committee to superintend and carry on the real preparations for the coming treat, and the others only met when specially summoned by the committee to appear.
As usual now the three classes found themselves in the South Parlour as usual they chattered volubly, and started schemes, to reject them again with peals of laughter. Many ideas were put forward, to be cast aside as utterly worthless. No one seemed to have any very brilliant thought, and as the first step on these occasions was to select what the entertainment should be, proceedings seemed to come to a standstill.
The fact was the most daring originator, the one whoso ideas were always flavoured with a spice of novelty, was absolutely silent.
Cecil Temple, who had taken a seat near Annie, suddenly, bent forward and spoke to her aloud.
We have all said what we would like, and we none of us appear to have thought of anything at all worth having, she said; but you have not spoken at all, Annie. Give us an idea, dear you know you originated the fancy ball last year.
Thus publicly appealed to, Annie raised her full brown eyes, glanced at her companions, not one of whom, with the exception of Cecil, returned her gaze fully; then, rising to her feet, she spoke in a slightly contemptuous tone.
These preparations seem to me to be much ado about nothing; they lake up a lot of our time, and the results arent worth the trouble I have nothing particular to say. Oh, well, yes, if you like lets have blind mans buff and a magic lantern; and then, dropping a mock curtsey to her companions, she dashed out of the South Parlour.
Insufferable girl! said Dora Russell; I wonder you try to draw her out, Cecil. You know perfectly that we none of us care to have anything to do with her.
I know perfectly that you are all doing your best to make her life miserable, said Cecil, suddenly
and boldly. No one in this school has obeyed Mrs Williss command to treat Annie as innocent you are practically sending her to Coventry, and I think it is unjust and unfair. You dont know, girls, that you are ruining poor Annies happiness.