“’You ask me who is to be the new Games Captain.  Well, of course it is a delicate matter to nominate my own successor, but from my knowledge of everybody’s capacities I should most decidedly suggest Winona Woodward.  She is a good all-round player herself, and has a particular aptitude for organization, which should prove invaluable.  She thoroughly appreciates the advantage of having reserves to fall back upon, and is most keen on keeping up the standard.  I do hope the dear old “High” will have a splendid year.  I shall be frantic to hear how you get on.  Send me a p.c. with the result of the meeting.’

“Well,” continued Linda, “you’ve heard Kirsty’s opinion.  It coincides entirely with mine.  Will some one kindly propose that Winona Woodward shall be elected Games Captain?”

“I have much pleasure in making the proposal,” said Bessie Kirk, standing up promptly.

“And I have much pleasure in seconding it,” murmured Grace Olliver.

“Will all who are in favor kindly hold up their hands?  Carried unanimously!  I’m extremely glad, as I’m sure Winona is ’the right man for the job,’ and worthy to carry on Kirsty’s traditions.  I vote we give her three cheers!”

Winona flushed crimson as the hip-hip-hoorays rang forth.  She had never expected such a complete walk-over.  She had known that her name was to be submitted for the captaincy, but she had thought that Bessie Kirk and Marjorie Kemp held equal chances, and that the voting would probably be fairly evenly divided.  That Kirsty should have written to nominate her was an immense gratification.  Kirsty’s praise at the time had been scant, and Winona had no idea that her former chief held her in such esteem.  To Winona the occasion seemed the triumph of her life.  She would rather be Games Captain than have any other honor that could possibly be offered to her.  Glorious visions of successful matches, of shields or cups won, and a county reputation for the school swam before her eyes.  And she—­Winona Woodward—­was to have the privilege of leading and directing all this!  It was indeed a thrilling prospect.  Her thoughts went back to the symposium of a year ago, when as a new and unknown girl, she had listened to Margaret Howell’s inspiring speech.  How unlikely it had seemed then that she would ever have a hand in making school history, but how her spirit had been stirred, and how she had longed to do her part!  It was something to have realized her pet ambition.

“It was most awfully good of you to propose me,” she said to Bessie Kirk afterwards.  “You’d a splendid chance yourself.”

“Not I!” returned Bessie lightly.  “Kirsty’s letter settled the whole business.  I shouldn’t have made nearly as good a Captain as you.  I don’t care to bother with the kids, and I’d hate all the business part of it, making the fixtures and that sort of thing, you know.  You’ll be A1, and we’ll all play up no end.  I believe we dare venture a fixture with Grant Park this season.”