Mrs. Woodward was exulting over the fact that she had engaged Miss Jones when she did, and that Winona's school clothes were all made and finished. There had been a fluster at the last, when it was discovered that her mackintosh was fully six inches too short for her new skirts, and that she had outgrown her thick boots, but a hurried visit to Great Marston had remedied these deficiencies, and the box was packed to everybody's satisfaction. There was a universal feeling in the family that such an outfit could not fail to meet with Aunt Harriet's approval. The first sight of the nightdress case and the brush-and-comb bag must wring admiration from her. They had been bought at a bazaar, and were altogether superior to those in daily use. As for the handkerchief case, Letty had decided that unless one equally well embroidered were presented to her on her next birthday, she would be obliged to assert her individuality by showing temper.
Winona walked into the dressing-room of the High School on September 22nd with a mixture of shyness and importance. On the whole the latter predominated. It was a trifle embarrassing to face so many strangers, but it was something to have won a scholarship. She wondered who was the other fortunate candidate.
"I expect it will be that red-haired girl with the spectacles," she thought. "I believe she answered every question, though she was rather quiet about it."
She looked round, but could not see the ruddy locks, nor indeed any of the companions who had taken the examination with her.
"Hunting for some one you know?" asked a girl who had appropriated the next hook to hers.
"Yes, at least I'm not sure whether she'll be here or not. I believe her name's Marjorie Kaye."
"There are heaps of new girls," volunteered another who stood by.
"I wondered if she'd won a County Scholarship," added Winona.
"Ask me a harder! I tell you I've never heard her name before."
Winona's voice was intended to sound very casual.
Her neighbor was taking off her boots, and did not seem as much impressed as the occasion merited.
"Oh! so you're one of the 'outlanders,'" sniggered another. "It's a sort of 'go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in' business."