There was a pause。 The hubbub died down but did not
cease。
〃What did I say？〃 cried Miss Harby； shrilly。
There was almost plete silence。 Sometimes a girl； rather
late； whirled into the porch and flung off her things。
〃Leaders……in place；〃 manded Miss Harby shrilly。
Pairs of girls in pinafores and long hair stood separate in
the porch。
〃Standard Four； Five； and Six……fall in；〃 cried Miss
Harby。
There was a hubbub； which gradually resolved itself into
three columns of girls； two and two； standing smirking in the
passage。 In among the peg…racks； other teachers were putting the
lower classes into ranks。
Ursula stood by her own Standard Five。 They were jerking
their shoulders； tossing their hair； nudging； writhing； staring；
grinning； whispering and twisting。
A sharp whistle was heard； and Standard Six； the biggest
girls； set off； led by Miss Harby。 Ursula； with her Standard
Five； followed after。 She stood beside a smirking； grinning row
of girls； waiting in a narrow passage。 What she was herself she
did not know。
Suddenly the sound of a piano was heard； and Standard Six set
off hollowly down the big room。 The boys had entered by another
door。 The piano played on； a march tune； Standard Five followed
to the door of the big room。 Mr。 Harby was seen away beyond at
his desk。 Mr。 Brunt guarded the other do