Winona heaved an immense sigh of mingled amazement and relief.  She had passed!  Actually passed!  She—­Winona Woodward, whose form record had never soared above the most modest average.  It was an unprecedented and altogether delightful finale to her school career.  For the moment she could hardly believe that it was true.  But Miss Bishop had not finished her speech; she held up her hand to stop the burst of clapping, and continued: 

“As you are aware, the Governors of the School offered a three years’ scholarship, tenable at Dunningham University, to whichever of the candidates should head the list, being not lower than second class.  Garnet Emerson, who has secured a First Class, is therefore, at the desire of the Governors, awarded the scholarship.  Now if you like to clap for her, you may do so!”

That Garnet, her dear Garnet, should have won the coveted scholarship, put the coping-stone on Winona’s glee.  She squeezed her friend’s hand afterwards in an ecstasy of congratulation.  Garnet said little, so little that her enthusiastic chum was almost disappointed.  Winona, judging by her own feelings, expected her to be at delirium point.  Beatrice Howell and Olave Parry, the two candidates who had failed, were receiving condolences with chastened resignation, the rest were in various stages of jubilee.

That evening, about six o’clock, a small packet was left at Abbey Close, directed to Miss Winona Woodward.  She opened it eagerly.  It held a small jewelers’ box containing a beautiful little ring, and was accompanied by a letter from Garnet.

“DEAR WIN” (so the letter ran),—­“You must have thought me slack this morning when you were congratulating me, but the fact was I was utterly overwhelmed.  I’d hoped and hoped to win the scholarship, and then put the idea away, and when I knew my good fortune I just felt stunned.  It’s all owing to you, for if you hadn’t helped me I could never, never even have passed.  I don’t know how to thank you.  Words are quite inadequate.  But will you believe that I shall never forget your kindness all the rest of my life, and will you accept this little ring and wear it for my sake?  It is a garnet, and belonged to my grandmother, after whom I was named.  I value it greatly, but I would far rather know you have it than keep it myself.

“Always your most grateful friend,

“GARNET EMERSON.”

There was a further surprise for Winona that evening.  When supper was over, and she and Miss Beach were taking their usual twilight stroll round the garden, Aunt Harriet, who had been silent for a few minutes, suddenly spoke.

“I wish to say something to you, Winona.  I’m very gratified indeed to hear that you have passed your college examinations.  It has given me a better opinion of your capacity and perseverance than I possessed before.  This result, combined with your conduct in coaching your friend through all these weeks, has decided me in a project that I was debating in my mind.  I am going to send you either to a Physical Training College to qualify as a Games Mistress, or to a Horticultural College to prepare for a National Rural Economy diploma.  Whichever career you decide to choose, I am resolved that you shall have the best training available.”