"She only had one mood—the imperative—and we girls are all subject to that," and she sighed, for Bobby was frequently in trouble with the very strict assistant principal of Central High whom she disrespectfully referred to as "Gee Gee."
Jess and her friend had left the others now and were approaching Market Street. Like everybody else on the walks, they had to be careful how they stepped, and it was with many a laugh and gibe that Bobby Hargrew beguiled the way. Jess, however, was serious once more.
"Are you really going in for that prize Mrs. Kerrick is going to put up for us?" demanded Bobby.
"Do you know what it's for?"
"No—I haven't heard that," said the younger girl. "But for two hundred dollars I'd learn tatting—or darn socks. Daddy says I ought to learn to darn his. What's it all about, anyway? I suppose Laura knows?"
"Yes. It's a play. The girl who writes the best one, that can be acted by us boys and girls of Central High, is to get the prize."
"Gee! won't that be nuts for Miss Gould?" cried Bobby. "You know, she tried us out in blank verse the other day, and I made a hit. My stately lines were spoken of with commen-
