The Luckiest Girl in the School   By: Angela Brazil (1868-1947)

by

ANGELA BRAZIL

Author of "A Harum Scarum Schoolgirl," "The Princess of the School," "A Popular Schoolgirl," "The Head Girl at the Gables."

Illustrated by Balliol Salmon

[Illustration: "'THOSE AREN'T MY PAPERS,' WINONA FALTERED"]

A. L. Burt Company Publishers New York Published by arrangement with Frederick A. Stokes Company Printed in U.S.A. Copyright, 1916, by Frederick A. Stokes Company All Rights Reserved First Published in the United States of America, 1922.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I. A GREAT CHANGE

II. AN ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

III. SEATON HIGH SCHOOL

IV. THE SYMPOSIUM

V. AUNT HARRIET

VI. A CRISIS

VII. AN AUTUMN FORAY

VIII. CONCERNS A CAMERA

IX. THE SCHOOL SERVICE BADGE

X. A SCARE

XI. THE OPEN AIR CAMP

XII. CAPTAIN WINONA

XIII. THE HOSTEL

XIV. THE HOCKEY SEASON

XV. WINONA TURNS CHAUFFEUR

XVI. THE ATHLETIC DISPLAY

XVII. BACK TO THE LAND

XVIII. A FRIEND IN NEED

XIX. THE SWIMMING CONTEST

XX. THE RED CROSS HOSPITAL

XXI. THE END OF THE TERM

THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE SCHOOL

CHAPTER I

A Great Change

"There's no doubt about it, we really must economize somehow!" sighed Mrs. Woodward helplessly, with her housekeeping book in one hand, and her bank pass book in the other, and an array of bills spread out on the table in front of her. "Children, do you hear what I say? The war will make a great difference to our income, and we can't simply can't go on living in exactly the old way. The sooner we all realize it the better. I wish I knew where to begin."

"Might knock off going to church, and save the money we give in collections!" suggested Percy flippantly. "It must tot up to quite a decent sum in the course of a year, not to mention pew rent!"

His mother cast a reproachful glance at him.

"Now, Percy, do be serious for once! You and Winona are quite old enough to understand business matters. I must discuss them with somebody. As I said before, we shall really have to economize somehow, and the question is where to begin."

"I saw some hints in a magazine the other day," volunteered Winona, hunting among a pile of papers, and fishing up a copy of The Housewife's Journal . "Here you are! There's a whole article on War Economies. It says you can halve your expenses if you only try. It gives ten different recipes. Number One, Dispense with Servants. Oh, goody! I don't know how the house would get along without Maggie and Mary! Isn't that rather stiff?"

"It's impossible to be thought of for a moment! I should never dream of dismissing maids who have lived with me for years. I've read that article, and it may be practicable for other people, but certainly not for us. Oh, dear! Some of my friends recommend me to remove to the town, and others say 'Stay where you are, and keep poultry!'"

"We can't leave Highfield! We were all born here!" objected Winona decisively.

"And we tried keeping hens some time ago," said Percy. "They laid on an average three quarters of an egg a year each, as far as I remember."

"I'm afraid we didn't know how to manage them," replied Mrs. Woodward fretfully. "Percy, leave those papers alone! I didn't tell you to turn them over. You're mixing them all up, tiresome boy! Don't touch them again! It's no use trying to discuss business with you children! I shall write and consult Aunt Harriet. Go away, both of you, now! I want to have a quiet half hour."

Aunt Harriet stood to the Woodward family somewhat in the light of a Delphic oracle. To apply to her was always the very last resource. Matters must have reached a crisis, Winona thought, if they were obliged to appeal to Aunt Harriet's judgment. She followed Percy into the garden with a sober look on her face.

"You don't think mother would really leave Highfield?" she asked her brother anxiously.