By eight o'clock the warm schoolhouse was comfortably filled with the "spellers" of the neighbourhood, their numbers increased by competitors from Tinkletown itself.

In the crowd were men and women who time after time had "spelled down" whole companies, and who were eager for the conflict.

They had "studied up" on their spelling for days in anticipation of a hard battle in the words.

Mrs.Borum and Mrs.Cartwill, both famous for their victories and for the rivalry that existed between them, were selected as captains of the opposing sides, and Miss Banks herself was to "give out" the words.

The captains selected their forces, choosing alternately from the anxious crowd of grown folks.