“I’m sure you’ll all agree that it is very desirable for us to have a form trophy, for hockey, at any rate.  Perhaps by next summer we’ll get one for cricket as well.  It will spur us on to have a little wholesome competition amongst ourselves.  As I announced on the notice board, we are now going to give a short entertainment, at the close of which a collection will be taken for the object I have just mentioned.  I hate begging, so give what you like, but of course it depends on your generosity this afternoon what kind of a trophy we are able to buy.  The first item on our program is a piano solo by Hester King.”

Hester was one of the best music pupils in the school.  She had a good crisp touch and considerable execution, and led off the concert with a sprightly tarantella.  A violin solo followed, by Sibyl Lee, a member of V.b., who was rather nervous, but acquitted herself fairly well on the whole.

“I thought I’d break down,” she confided to her friends.  “The sight of all those eyes staring at me quite put me off.  I don’t wonder blind musicians are generally successes, they can’t see the audience.  Well, never mind, I’ve done my bit, at any rate!”

The next on the list was a song from Annie Hardy.  She had chosen “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” and rendered it with great effect, the whole room joining with enthusiasm in the chorus.  It took so well that there were shouts of “Encore!” and Annie came back smiling to give “Khaki Boys,” which roused her audience to an even higher pitch of patriotic fervor.  A recitation, “Our Hockey Match,” by Agnes Heath, was felt to be particularly appropriate to the occasion.  It was a very good “school piece,” humorous as well as exciting, and Agnes had enough dramatic ability to do justice to it.  Her own form in particular stamped lustily.  The prefects motioned her forward again, but she shook her head.  The clapping redoubled.  Agnes, escorted to the front by Margaret, bowed and announced: 

“Fearfully sorry not to oblige, but this is absolutely the only thing I know, and it’s too long to say all over again!”

There was a general laugh, and the audience settled itself to enjoy the next item on the program.  Margaret was signaling to Winona and Garnet, and the pair slipped from their places, and made their way to the platform.

“I’m all upset!  I hope I shan’t break down!” whispered Winona.

“Nonsense!  A duet’s not so bad as a solo.  You’ll get on all right.  Do for goodness’ sake brace up!” implored Garnet.  “If you muddle your accompaniment you’ll spoil my part.  You’ll surely never go and fail me!”