"Of course we're to have a half-holiday this afternoon," began Opal.
"There's no 'of course' about it," returned Miss Pollard, eyeing her god-daughter gravely. She did not like Opal's tone, which was both uncompromising and truculent.
"Oh, but we've simply _got_ to have a holiday! We can't miss this circus. All of us day girls have been promised at home that we may go, and we _shall_."
Miss Pollard was long-suffering where her pet pupil was concerned, but it is possible for even a prime favourite to go too far.
"That's not the way to speak to me," she rebuked. "Your parents may make any arrangements they wish for taking you to the evening performance, but you will all attend school this afternoon. Do you thoroughly understand me, girls? I give _no_ half-holiday, and I expect you all to be present here as usual at 2.30. You may take that message home with you."
Miss Pollard, very much on her dignity, glared first at Opal, and then round the entire room. She did not intend to be dictated to or forced to give her consent against her better judgment. She was Principal of The Moorings, and as such meant to maintain discipline over her pupils.
Her announcement caused them all to look very sulky, and produced much grousing during 'break', but nobody thought of disputing it. The day girls consoled themselves by hopes of attending the evening performance. The less fortunate boarders said it was just like their luck. Everybody was more or less in a bad temper, but resigned. Mavis and Merle, walking back from Bridge House about 2.15, passed the corner of the Earnshaws' garden, and saw Opal's face peeping over the paling.
"Hello! Going to school like two good little girls," she jeered.
"I! Rather not! I call it the limit! I say, will you give a message for me to Miss Pollard?"
"Tell her I've got a fearful headache, and I'm going to lie down."
"We'll do nothing of the sort," snapped Merle.
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself," said Mavis.
"What nice good little girls," she repeated mockingly. "You'll give me the trouble of sending a note, that's all."
"She's gone to Port Sennen to-day, so I can't ask her. Look here, people are saying in the town that there's not going to be any evening performance. Trotmans want to pack up the show and start early, so as to travel at night. They've had a bother with the police about those vans blocking the roads in daytime. They held up a whole row of motors in Blagden, and no one could pass them for half an hour. Do you think I'm going to miss that circus and toddle up to school to write exercises and have a music lesson? Hardly! If you'll take my advice you'll scoot back home and do the same. I shouldn't be surprised to find an epidemic of headaches this afternoon."