The bell rings, the mistress on duty takes her place and the girls seat themselves at the desks. The register is called and the work begins.

Scratch, scratch go the pens. O, wearisome hour! The monotony is relieved every now and then by a girl sharpening her pencil. The time goes so slowly by. Thirty five minutes more. There is a whisper in the room, the mistress hastily raises her head but only innocent faces meet her gaze.

The merry voices of the hockey players are heard and many of the occupants of the room secretly vow that they will join the hockey club next season. Will this afternoon never end? Half an hour more.

What is that noise? The door of the adjoining music room is noisily closed. A girl stands up and asks if she may go to her music lesson. Happy girl to be released!

At last, after weary waiting, the four o' clock bell rings. There is a universal sigh of relief. School books are gathered up and we run outside.