Part 2 (2/2)
”Merle Ramsay.
”What I want you to do is to write on your piece of paper the names of the two candidates for whom you wish to vote, then fold your paper and hand it in. You must not add your own name to it, and you have no need to tell anybody how you voted. The whole principle of a ballot is that it is done in secret. Are you ready? Then please begin.”
The little ceremony was soon over, the girls scribbled rapidly, folded their papers, and pa.s.sed them along the benches to Nesta and Iva, who collected them and gave them to Miss Mitch.e.l.l.
”It will take a short time to count the votes,” explained the mistress.
”Those girls who wish to go home can do so, but any who like to wait and hear the result can stay.”
Miss Mitch.e.l.l and Miss f.a.n.n.y retired to the study and the meeting broke up. Most of the day-girls put on their hats and coats in readiness to go home, but hung about the hall until the names should be announced. The contingent from Chagmouth, whose car was stationed outside in the road, and whose driver was waxing impatient, were obliged to depart without the exciting news. Merle went as far as the gate to watch them pack into their 'sardine-tin.' Four sat behind, and two in front with the chauffeur, all quite radiant and thoroughly enjoying themselves.
”Good-bye! I hope you'll win!” said Beata, waving a hand to Merle with difficulty, for she was tightly sandwiched between Fay and Tattie. ”We did our best for you and Mavis. I didn't know any of those others.
Romola, have you got the books? That's all right. I was afraid we'd left the satchel. Yes,” (to the chauffeur) ”we're quite ready now, thanks!
Ta-ta, Merle! Good luck to you! We're off!”
Merle, looking after the retreating car, was joined by Aubrey Simpson, rather injured, and disconsolate.
”I didn't know all these new girls were to have votes,” she grumbled.
”How can _they_ choose a monitress when they don't know anybody!
It's rather humbug, isn't it?”
”They know _me_” perked Merle.
”Did you canva.s.s them? Oh, how mean!”
”Why mean? You could have done it yourself. Muriel was canva.s.sing among the juniors as hard as she could go.”
”I might have canva.s.sed among the new boarders! Why didn't I think of it?” wailed Aubrey.
”Well, really, it's your own stupid fault! Don't blame me!” snapped Merle.
”Iva and Nesta said they didn't mean to ask for votes.”
”Well, they'd no need to. They were both jolly certain that Miss Pollard would make them monitresses. It's easy to talk loftily when you're sure of your innings.”
”Did Mavis canva.s.s?”
”No--but then, of course, Mavis wouldn't!”
”Why not?”
”Oh--because she's Mavis! I can't see her doing it somehow. What a long time Miss Mitch.e.l.l and Miss f.a.n.n.y are over their counting! I wish they'd hurry up. I want to go home to tea.”
The girls had not much longer, however, to wait.
In the course of a few minutes the new mistress entered the hall and read out the important result.
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