Arrived at Dunningham station, they took the tramcar, and proceeded straight to the University.  It was a very fine modern building, erected round three sides of a large quadrangle, the fourth side being occupied by a museum.  They were directed to the Women Students’ Department, and took off their hats and coats in the dressing-room.  Miss Lever, who had herself graduated at Dunningham, knew the place well, and was able to give them exact directions.  She escorted them across the quadrangle to the big hall where the examination was to be held.

“The place has a classic look,” said Garnet, gazing at the Corinthian columns of the portico.  “I’m afraid they won’t consider my Latin up to standard.  May the fates send me an easy paper!”

“You should have asked them before!” giggled Winona.  “The papers are printed now, and not all the gods of Olympus could alter a letter.  I accept my fortunes in the spirit of a Mahomedan.  It’s Kismet!”

The first set of questions was easier than the girls had dared to expect.  They scribbled away eagerly.  It was encouraging, at any rate, to make a good beginning.  They compared notes at the end of the morning, and arrived at the conclusion that all had done fairly well.  Miss Lever was waiting for them in the quadrangle when they came out, and announced that she had engaged a special table for the party at a restaurant, and had ordered a particularly nice little lunch, with coffee afterwards to clear their brains.  Some of the girls were tired, and inclined to groan, others were exhilarated, but the enthusiasts cheered up the weaker spirits, and by the time the coffee course was reached, everybody was feeling courageous.

“Should I dare to suggest ices?” murmured Winona.

“All right, if you like.  There’s just time,” assented Miss Lever, consulting her watch.  “I passed my Intermediate on ices during a spell of intensely hot weather.  I can allow you exactly five minutes, so choose quickly—­strawberry or vanilla?”

The three days of the examination seemed to Winona like a dream.  She grew quite accustomed to the big hall full of candidates, and to her particular desk.  Garnet sat at the other side of the aisle, and Winona would sometimes pause a moment to watch her.  To judge from her friend’s absorbed appearance and fast moving pen, the papers appeared to suit her.  To Winona’s immense astonishment she herself was doing quite moderately well.  The six weeks’ coaching of Garnet had been of inestimable benefit to her own work.  She had not then thought of this aspect of the matter, but she was certainly now reaping the reward of her labor of love.  For the first time the possibility of gaining a pass occurred to her.

“If I do, it’ll be the limit!” she reflected.  “Miss Bishop will have about the surprise of her life!”

On the whole the girls quite enjoyed their three days at Dunningham.  There were intervals between their various papers, which they spent partly in the University museum and partly in the City Art Gallery, where a fine collection of Old Masters was on loan.  It was the first time Winona had seen paintings by world-famous artists, though she had often pored over reproductions of their works in The Studio or The Connoisseur.  She felt that the experience added another window to her outlook on life.