Towards the end of March Winona had an interlude which for the time took her thoughts even from the omnipresent topic of sports. Percy, who had been in training with his regiment6 at Duncastle, was ordered to the Front. He was allowed thirty-six hours' leave, and came home for a Sunday. Winona spent that week-end at Highfield, and the memory of it always remained a very precious one. Percy in his khaki seemed much changed, and though she only had him for a few minutes quite to herself, she felt that the old tie between them had strengthened. Her letters to him in future would be different. During the last year they had both slacked a little in their correspondence, each perhaps unconsciously feeling that the other's standpoint was changing; now they had met again on a new basis, and realized once more a common bond of sympathy. Percy, absorbed in describing his new life, scarcely mentioned Aunt Harriet. The episode of the burning of the paper seemed to have faded from his memory, or he had conveniently buried it in oblivion. Winona had never forgotten it. It remained still the one shadow in her career at Seaton. Now especially, since Miss Beach's recent ill-health, the secret weighed heavily upon her. She felt her aunt ought to know that the will was destroyed, so that she might take the opportunity of making another. More than once she tried indirectly7 to refer to the subject, but it was a tender topic, and at the least hint Miss Beach's face would[Pg 211] stiffen8 and her voice harden; the old barrier between them would rise up again wider than ever, and impossible to be spanned. Winona would have been glad to do much for her aunt, but Miss Beach did not care to be treated as an invalid9. Like many energetic people, she refused to acknowledge that she was ill, and the acceptance of little services seemed to her a confession10 of her own weakness. It is rather hard to have your kindly11 meant efforts repulsed12, so Winona, finding that her offers of sympathy met with no response, drew back into her shell, and the two continued to live as before, on terms of friendship but never of intimacy13. After almost two years spent in the same house Winona knew her aunt little better than on the day of her arrival. They had certain common grounds for conversation, but their mutual14 reserve was maintained, and as regarded each other's real thoughts they remained "strangers yet."
Miss Beach, however, took an interest in Winona's doings at school. She read her monthly reports, and scolded her if her work had fallen below standard. She expressed a guarded pleasure over successful matches, but rubbed in the moral that games must not usurp15 her attention to the detriment16 of her form subjects.
"You came here to learn something more than hockey!" she would remind Winona. "It's a splendid exercise, but I'm afraid it won't prove a career! I should like to see a better record for Latin and Chemistry; they might very well have more attention!"[Pg 212]
Winona had tried to persuade her aunt to come and watch one of the matches, but Miss Beach had always found some engagement; she was concerned in so many of the city's activities that her time was generally carefully mapped out weeks beforehand. She consented, however, to accept Miss Bishop17's invitation to the Gymnasium Display, which was to be given at the High School at the close of the Easter term.
This was a very important occasion in the estimation of the girls. It was their first athletic18 show since the advent19 of Miss Barbour, the Swedish drill mistress. Governors and parents were to be present, and the excellence20 of the performance must justify21 the large amount which had been spent upon gymnastic apparatus22 during the past year.
For two whole terms Miss Barbour had been teaching and training her classes with a view to this exhibition, and woe23 betide any unlucky wight whose nerves, memory or muscles should fail her at the critical moment! A further impetus24 was given to individual effort by the offer, on the part of one of the Governors, of four medals for competition, to be awarded respectively to the best candidates in four classes, Seniors over 16, Intermediates from 13 to 16, Juniors from 10 to 13, and Preparatories under 10. It was felt throughout the school that the offer was munificent25. The Governors had been stingy over the matter of the hockey field, and had been reviled26 accordingly, but Councillor Jackson was retrieving27 the character of the Board by this action, and the girls reversed their opinion in his favor.[Pg 213] They hoped that other Governors, warmed by his example, might open their hearts in silver medals or book prizes for future occasions.
"He's a dear old trump28 to think of it!" said Winona.
"You drew a picture of him floundering in the mud at hockey!" twinkled Garnet.
"Well, I forgive him now, and I'll draw another of him standing29 on the platform, all beaming with benevolence30, and distributing medals broadcast. Look here, Bessie Kirk, you needn't be congratulating yourself beforehand with such a patently self-satisfied smirk31, because I'm going to win the Senior Medal."
"No, you're not, my child! Take it patiently, and compose your mind. The medal's coming this way!"
"How about me?" put in Marjorie Kemp.
"You'll do well, but you're not a champion! You're too fat, Jumbo, and that's the fact. You're all right when it's a question of brute32 strength, but when agility33 matters, those superfluous34 pounds of flesh of yours are an impediment. I'd back Joyce sooner than you; she's as light as a feather!"
Hearing herself commended, Joyce fluttered up to the group, smiling.
"I did four feet six, yesterday," she announced, "and I'd have cleared four feet seven, I believe, only I had to stop. It's always my luck!"
"Why had you to stop?"
"My back ached!"[Pg 214]
Instant apprehension36 overspread the faces of her friends.
"Joyce Newton!" exclaimed Winona, "you're never going to get small-pox again, and stop the athletic display?"
"You don't feel sick, or head-achy, or sore-throaty, do you?" implored37 Bessie. "For goodness sake stand away, if you're infectious! I don't want to be another contact case!"
"What pigs you are!" said Joyce plaintively38, "One can't catch small-pox twice!"
"But you might be going to get scarlet39 fever, or measles40, or even influenza41!"
"Stop ragging! Mayn't I have a back-ache if I want? It's my own back!"
"Have as many back-aches as you choose, my hearty42, but don't disseminate43 germs! If the athletic display doesn't come off, I'll break my heart, and you can write an epitaph over me:
"Here lies one who young in years, Left this mortal vale of tears; Cruel fate hath knocked her down, Tom from her the laurel crown, To win the gym display she sighed, But as she might not jump, she died!"
"Look here!" said Marjorie. "I suppose the medal lies fairly well between us four. I vote that we make a compact—whoever wins treats the other three to ices! It would be some compensation for losing!"[Pg 215]
"Good for you, Jumbo! I'm game!" agreed Bessie.
"If you'll undertake they'll be strawberry ices!" stipulated44 Winona.
"I mayn't eat ices, they disagree with me!" wailed45 Joyce, "but if you'll make it chocolates."
"Done! I won't forget. Ices for Bessie and Winona, and a packet of Cadbury's for Joyce. I'll go and be ordering them!" chirruped Marjorie, dancing away.
"Cheek! Don't make so sure."
"It's my medal, so be getting your handkerchiefs ready," maintained Winona.
Though Winona, just for the fun of teasing her friends, had pretended to appropriate the prize, she had really no anticipation46 of winning. She was fairly good at gymnasium work, but could not be considered a champion. She knew her success or failure would depend very much on luck. If she happened to feel in the right mood she might achieve something, but it was an even chance that at the critical moment her courage might fail her. In a match she was generally swept away by the intense feeling of cooperation, the knowledge that all her team were striving for a common cause buoyed47 her up, but in a competition where each was for herself, the element of nervousness would have greater scope. When she thought about it, she felt that she would probably be shaking with fright.
The great day came at last. The Gymnasium was decorated with flags in honor of the occasion, and pots of palms were placed upon the platform where[Pg 216] the Governors and a few of the most distinguished48 visitors were accommodated with seats. Winona, marching in to take part in the senior drill, gave one glance round the building, and grasped the fact that Aunt Harriet was sitting on the platform next to Councillor Jackson, and only a few places away from the expert who was to act as judge. She was chatting affably with her august companions. Think of chatting with a Governor! Winona felt that it was some credit to have such a relation! She had not always been very sure how much she valued Aunt Harriet's opinion, but this afternoon she longed to shine before her. Yet the very wish to do so made her nervous. She glanced at her companions. Bessie was looking stolidity49 itself, Marjorie's usually high color had reached peony point, Joyce was palpably in the throes of stage fright. All were soon marching and countermarching, swinging Indian clubs, and performing the intricate maneuvers50 of Swedish drill. Fortunately they had practiced well, and it went without a hitch51. They breathed more freely as they retired52 to the ante-room to make way for the babies who were to do skipping exercises to music.
"It's more awful to show off before Governors than I expected!" sighed Joyce. "I'm just shivering!"
"What'll you be at the rings, then?" asked Bessie.
"Silence!" urged Miss Lever, who was in charge of the ante-room.
The strains of "Little Grey Home in the West"[Pg 217] and the regular thud of small feet were wafted53 from the gymnasium.
"Don't you wish you were a kid again?" whispered Joyce.
"No, I don't!" retorted Bessie, so imprudently loud that Miss Lever glared at her.
"It's horrid54 having to stay in here, where one can't see!" murmured Marjorie under her breath.
They knew by the music, however, what was taking place. The juniors were doing wand exercises, the intermediates followed with clubs.
"Our turn again soon," whispered Winona.
Olave Parry, from a vantage post near the door, could see into the gymnasium, and report progress. Her items of news passed in whispers down the ranks. The babies had skipped like a row of cherubs56, and the Governors were wreathed in smiles. Kitty Carter had dropped one of her clubs, and it nearly hit a visitor on the head, but fortunately missed her by half an inch. Laura Marshall was performing prodigies57 on the horizontal ladder—she undoubtedly58 had a chance for a medal. Bursts of applause from the audience punctuated59 the performance. Olave continued her report, which Miss Lever, who took occasional excursions into the gymnasium, verified from time to time. The juniors were competing now. Natalie Powers was about to do the ring exercises. It was a swing and a pull-up in front, and she managed that neatly60, but when it came to the swing and the turn, she lost her nerve, turned too soon and spun61 round helplessly in the[Pg 218] air until Miss Barbour hurried to her aid. Natalie was done for, without doubt! It was a good thing she had not fallen and hurt herself. Her rivals were rope-climbing. Madge Collins had reached the top in six seconds, and was sliding down again, to the accompaniment of loud clapping. Lennie Roberts had beaten her, for she had performed the same feat35 in exactly five seconds. The juniors were in a ferment62 of excitement. The interest of the audience had waxed to enthusiasm point.
"Seniors!" announced Miss Lever briefly63, and the row of waiting figures in the ante-room fell into line, and marched into the gymnasium for the special trials. The Swedish drill exercises, where all worked together, had not seemed half so formidable. A well practiced part is not easily forgotten even by a nervous girl, if it must be done in company with others. It was another matter, however, to perform single athletic feats64 before a big audience. For a moment Winona turned almost dizzy with fright. The big room seemed full of eyes, every one of which would be watching her when it came to her turn. She looked round with the feeling of a martyr65 in the arena66, and for a moment met the calm steady gaze of Miss Beach. Winona said afterwards that Aunt Harriet must have mesmerized67 her, for in that second of recognition she felt a sudden rush of courage. The thrill of the contest took possession of her, and every nerve and muscle, every atom of her brain, was alert to do its best. She would let Aunt Harriet see that, though she might fail sometimes in form work, she could hold her own at gymnastics.[Pg 219]
Contestants68 climbed, traveled on rings, and vaulted69 the horse. Winona seemed to herself as easy and agile70 as she had ever been. She had a possible chance of winning, and her heart exulted71. Then came the ladders. Up and up she went, holding herself now by her hands and now by her feet swinging for her hold. She had thought she was light, but now she suddenly realized how heavy she was! She summoned every bit of strength as she went down the ladder. From one contest to another she passed, doing her best.
Last of all came the rings. Winona swung out, grasped the next ring, and so on down the line. Oh, how many there were! She had never before realized what it meant to weigh 7 st. 10 lbs. She held her breath as she reached for the next ring, but it slipped from her fingers. Only for a second, however, for she caught it on the next swing, and a moment later was waiting at the end. Bessie was just starting. Down the line she traveled, not so gracefully72, perhaps, as Winona, but catching73 her ring on every swing. Joyce followed, but mid-way her courage deserted74 her, and she failed utterly75. Marjorie came next. She was doing well surely! She was nearly through, reached for the last ring, missed it, and fell! There was an instant murmur55 of consternation76 from the audience. Was she injured? She sprang up unhurt, however, though deeply humiliated77.
Thrilling in every nerve, Winona started back. Refreshed by her little rest, she swung lightly, steadily78 and unfalteringly, never missing a ring till she[Pg 220] came to the end. She was almost too occupied to notice the cheers. Bessie reached mid-way, then missed a ring, caught it on the second swing, missed another, and reached for it three times before she caught it and finished her course.
The girls had been too much excited for comparisons. They scarcely guessed how their averages would stand. Winona had a general impression that Bessie had scored at vaulting79, and Marjorie had undoubtedly cleared the rope at four feet eight. Her own performances seemed lost in a haze80; she had noticed the judge jot81 down something, but she felt incapable82 of reckoning her chances.
The judge was conferring with Miss Bishop at the back of the platform, and while the room waited for their decision the school marched, singing an Empire song.
At last the judge stepped to the front of the platform. The singing ceased. Winona's heart beat suffocatingly83.
"I have great pleasure in giving the results," announced the judge. "Preparatory prize, Elaine Jennings; Junior prize, Lennie Roberts; Intermediate prize, Laura Marshall; Senior prize, Winona Woodward."
The applause was ringing out lustily. Bessie, Marjorie and Joyce were pressing congratulations upon her. Miss Bishop (actually the Head!) was looking at her and smiling approval. Miss Lever was telling her to walk forward. In a delirious84 whirl, Winona climbed the steps on the platform. As Councillor Jackson pinned the medal on to her[Pg 221] tunic85, a storm of clapping and cheers rose from the school. Their Games Captain was popular, and everybody felt it right and fitting that this afternoon she should have proved herself the athletic champion.
"Don't forget the ices!" whispered Bessie, as Winona rejoined Marjorie and Joyce.
"We'll stop at the café on the way home, and you shall each choose what you like!" declared Winona, with spendthrift liberality.
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1
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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guild
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| n.行会，同业公会，协会 | |
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versus
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| prep.以…为对手，对；与…相比之下 | |
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sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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8
stiffen
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| v.(使)硬，(使)变挺，(使)变僵硬 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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usurp
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| vt.篡夺，霸占；vi.篡位 | |
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16
detriment
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| n.损害；损害物，造成损害的根源 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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23
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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24
impetus
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| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
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munificent
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| adj.慷慨的，大方的 | |
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reviled
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| v.辱骂，痛斥( revile的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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retrieving
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| n.检索（过程），取还v.取回( retrieve的现在分词 )；恢复；寻回；检索（储存的信息） | |
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28
trump
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| n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭 | |
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29
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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smirk
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| n.得意地笑；v.傻笑；假笑着说 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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34
superfluous
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| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plaintively
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| adv.悲哀地，哀怨地 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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measles
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| n.麻疹，风疹，包虫病，痧子 | |
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influenza
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| n.流行性感冒，流感 | |
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42
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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43
disseminate
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| v.散布；传播 | |
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44
stipulated
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| vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的 | |
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45
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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47
buoyed
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| v.使浮起( buoy的过去式和过去分词 )；支持；为…设浮标；振奋…的精神 | |
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48
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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49
stolidity
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| n.迟钝，感觉麻木 | |
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50
maneuvers
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| n.策略，谋略，花招( maneuver的名词复数 ) | |
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51
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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52
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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53
wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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55
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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56
cherubs
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| 小天使，胖娃娃( cherub的名词复数 ) | |
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57
prodigies
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| n.奇才，天才（尤指神童）( prodigy的名词复数 ) | |
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58
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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59
punctuated
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| v.（在文字中）加标点符号，加标点( punctuate的过去式和过去分词 )；不时打断某事物 | |
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60
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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61
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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62
ferment
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| vt.使发酵；n./vt.（使）激动，（使）动乱 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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64
feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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65
martyr
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| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
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66
arena
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| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
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67
mesmerized
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| v.使入迷( mesmerize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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contestants
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| n.竞争者，参赛者( contestant的名词复数 ) | |
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vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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70
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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71
exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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73
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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74
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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75
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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76
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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77
humiliated
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| 感到羞愧的 | |
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78
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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79
vaulting
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| n.（天花板或屋顶的）拱形结构 | |
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80
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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81
jot
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| n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下 | |
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82
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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83
suffocatingly
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| 令人窒息地 | |
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84
delirious
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| adj.不省人事的，神智昏迷的 | |
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85
tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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