PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 174, 25 July 1928, Page 20

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

(By Dolina Huey, 12 Ardmore Road, Heme Bay: age 10.)

Lorna was just twelve. A good age. but quite young for a beginner at Grammar School. She was not clever, either. just medium, with a little too much boldness. ! I lie second day at school she ap- j oroaciied a stalwart sixth-former, and U'liianded calmly, "Are you a PrefectV" I The tall girl stared. She iru Maijorie Court, of VI. A. and was not used Li> being accosted by "those third-form yotuigsters," as she called them. ••Yes," she answered, "1 am a prefect. Is there anything you want?" "Only an introduction." "An introduction," reiterated Marjorie. "to whom, pray?" "Why, to you. of course." "You're too bokl. Miss Third. When did you turn six*" "Just six years ago; when did you?*' Marjoric was becoming interested in the little girl before her. "Would you like a game of cricket, child?" she a.«ked. "It will be something new for you." "New for me! Not on your life! Been playing cricke>t ever since I can remember — my brothers." 'Let's see you play then: you may do for tiie school team." 'Go on!" said Lorna, incredulously. "Y6u must not use so much slang, little girl; it isn't nice." "No? How many brothers have you ?" "That doe.s not make any difference. Do vou like tnis school?' "Pretty well. Let's hear you talk pome French. " French is queer, you know." "It's lovely, isn't it?" "Lovely? Go on!" said the younger girl. "Nothing pretty in French!" "But childie, you don't know enough of it to judge." "Oh? Vous etes bien sure! Bah! je 3it is Franeaiae!" "Eh?" "Ne com prennez-vous pas? Je dis .jim* i<' suis Francaise." "Oh, my gidd< aunt!" ejaculated the astonished Marjorie, forgetful of hci former fine speech. "You speak English well." "Oui. My mother and father were born in England, but we have been livin" inr Paris ever since my birth. I have two English brothers. C'esL tout!" . , "That's all? Oh you lucky kid. I wish I could speak it so fluently. Will you help me with my French, and 1, in turn, will teach you tennis, fives and the other games we play here?" "Oh, yes!" assented Lorna, joyfully.