“If I knew whether you’re really going to stay at Seaton or not, it would make all the difference, Winona,” she fluttered.  “It’s no use buying you these new things if you’re only to wear them at home, but I’d make an effort to send you nice to Aunt Harriet’s.  I know she’ll criticize everything you have on.  Dear me, I think I’d better risk it!  It would be such a nuisance to have to write for the patterns all over again, and how could I get your dresses fitted when you weren’t here to be tried on?  Miss Jones is at liberty now, and can come for a week’s sewing, but she’ll probably be busy if I want her later.  Now tell me, which do you really think is the prettier of these two shades?  I like the fawn, but I believe the material will spot.  What have you done with the lace collar Aunt Harriet gave you last Christmas?  She’s sure to ask about it if you don’t wear it!”

Having decided that on the whole she intended to win a scholarship, Winona bluffed off the matter of her departure.

“I’ve changed my mind, that’s all,” she announced to her home circle.  “It will be a great comfort to me not to hear Mamie scraping away at her violin in the evenings, or Letty strumming at scales.  Think what a relief not to be obliged to rout up Dorrie and Godfrey, and haul them off to school every day!  I’m tired of setting an example.  You needn’t snigger!”

The family grinned appreciatively.  They understood Winona.

“Don’t you worry!  I’ll set the example when you’re gone,” Letty assured her.  “I’ll be as improving as a copy-book.  I wish I’d your chance; I’d stand Aunt Harriet for the sake of going to a big High School.  Younger sisters never have any luck!  Eldests just sweep the board.  I don’t know where we come in!”

“Don’t you fret, young ’un, you’ll score later on!” cooed an indulgent voice from the sofa, where Percy sprawled with a book and a bag of walnuts.  “Remember that when you’re still in all the bliss and sparkle of your teens, Winona’ll be a mature and passee person of twenty-two.  ‘That eldest Miss Woodward’s getting on, you know!’ people will say, and somebody’ll reply:  ‘Yes, poor thing!’”

“They won’t when I’ve got a career,” retorted Winona, pelting Percy with his own walnut-shells.

“You assured us the other day that you despised such vanities.”

“Well, it depends.  Perhaps I’ll be a lady tram conductor, and punch tickets, or a post-woman, or drive a Government van!”

“If those are careers for girls, bag me for a steeple jack,” chirped Dorrie.

It was perhaps a good thing for Winona that such a short interval elapsed between the acceptance of Aunt Harriet’s proposal and the date of the scholarship examination.  The ten days were very busy ones, for there seemed much to be done in the way of preparation.  Miss Jones, the dressmaker, was installed in the nursery with the sewing-machine, and demanded frequent tryings-on, a process Winona hated.