occupation, it could be taken up and laid down so easily; it often went to school with her, and would come out during the interval, or while she was waiting for a class.  The Photographic Union was beyond her, for as yet she had no camera, but she thought she was justified in joining the Natural History League.  This society did not for the present demand papers from its members, but contented itself with encouraging the collection of objects for the school museum.  Its main activities would be during the summer term, though a weather record was kept throughout the year, and any nature notes that were worthy of being written down were duly chronicled in the Field Book.  Linda Fletcher and Annie Hardy, two of the prefects, were the leading spirits in the League.  Linda was great on entomology, and, having a brother who was interested in the subject, had been out “sugaring” in his company in August and September, and had secured some fine specimens of moths.  She had boxes full of chrysalides which she fondly hoped would emerge in the spring into perfect insects, and she had made quite a good little collection of beetles.  Annie was more interested in botany, she pressed flowers and leaves, dried fruits and seed vessels, and made praiseworthy efforts at preserving funguses in bottles, though these latter attempts were not always attended with the success they deserved, as they were apt to acquire a gamey odor, to which her mother very naturally objected, and she would be obliged disconsolately to turn them out into the dust-bin.

November happened to be a particularly fine month at Seaton.  There had been little rain, and no high winds to blow the leaves away.  Though the trees in the city were bare, those in the country round about remained almost in their October glory, and in sheltered woods some were still green.  The persistent sunshine encouraged the Natural History League to plan an excursion for its members, and after a consultation with Miss Lever, the Botany mistress, Linda pinned up the following announcement on the school notice board:—­

NATURAL HISTORY LEAGUE.  An Autumn Foray will be held on Saturday next, visiting Monkend Woods and Copplestone Quarry.  Members will meet at station for the 12.45 train to Powerscroft, returning by the 5.30 from Chartwell.  Tea at farm-house.  Walking distance five miles.  Leaders:  Miss Lever, Linda Fletcher and Annie Hardy.  Those intending to join kindly give their names to the Secretary on Wednesday at latest.

L. FLETCHER,

Hon. Sec.

The prospect of a ramble was alluring.  Winona was a country lover, so she forthwith secured Aunt Harriet’s permission for the outing and placed her name upon the list.

“I don’t think there’ll be more than a dozen of us altogether,” said Linda, “but really a small party’s more manageable than a big one, and I’ll undertake we enjoy ourselves.  Miss Lever can get permission for us to walk through the private part of the woods—­there’s no shooting this autumn, you know—­so that will be simply glorious, and she says we ought to find some fossils in the quarry, if we’ve luck.  I hope the weather will keep up.  Don’t forget to take a vasculum or a basket, and a hammer for fossils, and be sure you put on strong boots.  The tea will probably be eightpence a head.  Miss Lever is writing beforehand to the farm to make arrangements.”