“How did we do to-day, Miss Raper?” inquired Agony, as the drill sergeant prepared to depart.

“I congratulate you,” replied Miss Raper with sarcastic wit.  “I never saw it done worse.”

The company recognized the fact that it was a tactical error to try to draw any praises to themselves from Miss Raper.  Yet they did not consider themselves abused, nor did they harbor any hard feelings toward her on account of her sharp tongue.  They realized that she was a “crackerjack” trainer, and for the sake of winning that contest they were willing to endure her caustic comments meekly.

“I’ll never get left and right wheel correctly,” sighed Oh-Pshaw with a discouraged air.  “No matter which one she says, I always go in the opposite direction.  I get so fussed when she looks at me that I can’t tell my left foot from my right.”

“Never mind, you’ll get it in time,” said Migwan soothingly.  “I had the same trouble at first, but I’m getting sort of used to her now.”

“I’m awfully stupid about things like that,” mourned Oh-Pshaw, “and I’m afraid I’ll never get over getting fussed.  I never could stand up in front of anybody and perform; the minute I see people looking at me I forget everything I know and stand there like a dummy.”

“Cheer up, child,” said Migwan, “it isn’t nearly as bad as you make out.  Just think of the command and forget all about yourself and Miss Raper and then you’ll get it right every time.”

“I hope so,” said Oh-Pshaw with a sigh.

“You’ll have to get over it,” said Agony emphatically.  “If you make any mistakes on the night of the contest—!” Agony’s voice hinted at the awful consequences which would follow such a misdemeanor.

“She isn’t going to make any mistakes the night of the contest,” said Migwan, putting her arm through Oh-Pshaw’s and starting off toward Carver House.

The rest sauntered after them in twos and threes, practising drill steps as they went.  Sahwah slipped her arm through Veronica’s.

“Let’s go over into the woods awhile before lunch,” she said, “just us two.”

Veronica came willingly and together they struck into the shady wood path, flecked here and there with irregular patches of sunlight which filtered through the branches above them.  It was a pleasant place, this strip of woods crowning a gently rolling hill behind the town.  Fallen logs thickly upholstered with moss made delightful sofas especially designed for friends to sit upon and exchange confidences.  Veronica and Sahwah often came here on their walks.

Veronica was in a merry mood to-day and danced gaily down the path in pursuit of butterflies; waved her hands and called out gay greetings to the squirrels and chipmunks, and constantly exclaimed aloud in wonder and delight at some bit of brilliant orange-colored fungus, or some bright flower that greeted her eyes.