“And so’s this child!” agreed Betty Carlise.  “I can put the screw on Cassie and Nell, and bring them along any evening.”

“Then mind you do!  I’m going to take an oath of the whole team to meet here at seven each night.  I shall write it down on a piece of paper, and make you all put your names to it, like signing the pledge.”

“Right you are, O She-who-must-be-obeyed!”

“Your humble servants, Ma’am!”

Their Captain’s suggestion of an evening cricket practice was welcomed by the team, and approved by Miss Bishop.  It was delightfully cool at seven o’clock; the girls, instead of being languid and half-hearted, were energetic and enthusiastic, and their play became a different matter altogether.  Winona, who had been decidedly down about the prospects of the match, began to feel more confidence.  Betty’s bowling was improving daily, and Irene, who had been given to blind swiping, was gaining discretion.  If they would continue to make progress at the same rate, Seaton would have a chance.

“It would be too bad if we lost the last match of the season!” fluttered Winona.  “While I’m your captain I want to break the record.”

“All right, old girl!  It shall be a kind of Charge of the Light Brigade.  ‘Theirs but to do or die!’ It will probably be a broiling hot day, but we’ll play till we drop!” Betty assured her.

“Only have the Ambulance Corps ready with fans and stretchers to revive us and bear us from the field!” added Irene, giggling.

“I’ll see there’s lemonade for you!”

Though to Winona, as Games Captain, “Seaton v. Binworth” seemed the one event worth living for, there were plenty of other interests going on in the school.  Linda Fletcher, the head girl, was arranging a program for the Parents’ Afternoon, the efficient performance of which was, in her eyes, of infinitely greater public importance than the cricket match.  She also required numerous rehearsals, and the conflicting claims on the girls’ time became so confusing that after one or two struggles between rival “whips,” who contended hotly for possession, the chiefs were obliged to strike a bargain, Winona releasing two members of the team in order that they might act, and filling up their places from her reserve, while Linda undertook to leave the rest of the eleven out of her calculations.  After this there was peace, and Violet Agnew and Averil Walmer, who had been secretly burning to distinguish themselves in the dramatic line in preference to athletics, could meet Winona with clear consciences.

Among other items of the program, Linda had fixed upon a French Pastoral Play, which was to be acted in the garden among the trees and lilac bushes.  The girls were really supposed to get up the whole of the little entertainment by themselves, but Mademoiselle was kind in this instance, and helped to coach them.  The scene was to be a Fete Champetre, and the costumes were to be copied from some of Watteau’s pictures.