Page:Girls of Central High on the Stage.djvu/98

88 coming up to her and squeezing her arm. "Something is troubling you, honey."

"And it will trouble you after recess," replied Jess, mournfully.

"The old exams?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Afraid, are you?" laughed Mother Wit.

"I'm just scared to death. And Gee Gee knows I'm not prepared and she will be down on me like a hawk."

"Maybe not."

"She knows I am weak. She just told me so, and she showed me the papers and said there were awfully hard questions in them. She just delights in catching us girls. And she says all of us who are trying for the prize are neglecting our regular work."

"I expect we are, Jess," admitted Laura. "Oh, dear! it's not easy to write a play, is it?"

"I don't know," said Jess, hesitatingly. "I'm not sure that I am writing a regular play. But I'm writing something!"

"What does your mother say about it?"

"Oh, of course she praises it. She would."

"I bet you win the prize, Jess!" exclaimed Laura.

"No such luck. And, anyway, I will take no prize this afternoon. Gee Gee threatens to take