Bel passed her examination triumphantly, and got the Wissan Bridgeschool; but she got only a contingent promise of the five-poundsupplement. It went sorely against her will to waive this point. Verykeenly Mr. Allan, who was on the Examining Board, watched her face asshe modestly yet firmly pressed it.

The trustees did not deny that the Wissan Bridge school was a difficultand unruly one; that to manage it well was worth more money than theordinary school salaries. The question was whether this very young ladycould manage it at all; and if she failed, as the last incumbenthad,--failed egregiously, too; the school had broken up in riotousconfusion before the end of the fortnight,--the canny Scotchmen of the SchoolBoard did not wish to be pledged to pay that extra five pounds. Theutmost Bel could extract from them was a promise that if at the end ofthe fortnight her teaching had proved satisfactory, the five pounds should bepaid. More they would not say; and after a short, sharp struggle withherself Bel accepted the terms; but she could not restrain a farewellshot at the trustees as she turned to go. "I'm as sure o' my five poundsas if ye'd promised it downright, sirs. I shall keep ye a good school atWissan Bridge."

"We'll make it guineas, then, Miss Bel," cried Mr. Allan,enthusiastically, looking at his colleagues, who nodded their heads, andsaid, laughing, "Yes, guineas it is."

"And guineas it will be," retorted Little Bel, as with cheeks likepeonies she left the chamber.

"Egad, but she's a fine spirit o' her ain, an' as bonnie a face as I'veseen since I remember," cried aged Mr. Dalgetty, the senior member ofthe Board, and the one hardest to please. "I'd not mind bein' a pupil atWissan Bridge school the comin' term myself." And he gave an aged man'sprivileged chuckle as he glanced at his colleagues. "But she's over-youngfor the work,--over-young."