Thus supported by masculine authority, Mrs. Woodward settled the question in the affirmative, and replied to her aunt by return of post.

Naturally such a stupendous event as the exodus of Winona made a sensation in the household.

“Well, of all the rum shows!” exclaimed Percy.  “You and Aunt Harriet in double harness!  It beats me altogether!”

“It’s atrocious!” groaned Winona.  “I’m a victim sacrificed for the good of the family.  Oh! why couldn’t mother have thought of some other way of economizing?  I don’t want to win scholarships and go in for a career!”

“Buck up!  Perhaps you won’t win!  There’ll be others in for the exam., you bet!  You’ll probably fail, and come whining home like a whipped puppy with its tail between its legs!”

“Indeed I shan’t!” flared Winona indignantly.  “I’ve a little more spirit than that, thank you!  And why should you imagine I’m going to fail?  I suppose I’ve as much brains as most people!”

“That’s right!  Upset the pepper-pot!  I was only trying to comfort you!” teased Percy.  “In my opinion you’ll be returned like a bad halfpenny, or one of those articles ‘of no use to anybody except the owner.’  Aunt Harriet will be cheated of her prey after all!”

“If Win goes away, I shall be the eldest daughter at home,” said Letty airily, shaking out her short skirts.  “I’ll sit at the end of the table, and pour out tea if mother has a headache, and unlock the apple room, and use the best inkpot if I like, and have first innings at the piano.”

“You forget about the nursery governess,” retorted Winona.  “If I go, she comes, and you’ll find you’ve exchanged King Log for King Stork.  Oh, very well, just wait and see!  It won’t be as idyllic as you imagine.  I shall be saved the trouble of looking after you, at any rate.”

“What I’m trying to ascertain, madam,” said Percy blandly, “is whether your ladyship wishes to take up your residence in Seaton or not.  With the usual perversity of your sex you pursue a pig policy.  When I venture to picture you seated at the board of your venerable aunt, you protest you are a sacrifice; when, on the other hand, I suggest your return to the bosom of your family, you revile me equally.”

“You’re the most unsympathetic beast I’ve ever met!” declared Winona aggrievedly.

When she analyzed her feelings, however, she was obliged to allow that they were mixed.  Though the prospect of settling down at Seaton filled her with dismay, Percy’s gibe at her probable failure touched her pride.  Winona had always been counted as the clever member of the family.  It would be too ignominious to be sent home labeled unfit.  She set her teeth and clenched her fists at the bare notion.

“I’ll show them all what I can do if I take a thing up!” she resolved.

In the meantime Mrs. Woodward was immersed in the subject of clothing.  Every post brought her boxes of patterns, amongst which she hesitated, lost in choice.