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diff --git a/39570-8.txt b/39570-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..970a32a --- /dev/null +++ b/39570-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7739 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Polly's First Year at Boarding School, by +Dorothy Whitehill + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Polly's First Year at Boarding School + +Author: Dorothy Whitehill + +Illustrator: Charles L. Wrenn + +Release Date: April 29, 2012 [EBook #39570] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY'S FIRST YEAR *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from images made available by the HathiTrust +Digital Library.) + + + + + +[Illustration: Singing and cheering wildly they carried her to the +other end of the gym.] + + + + +POLLY'S FIRST YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL + +BY + +DOROTHY WHITEHILL + +ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLES L. WRENN + +PUBLISHERS + +BARSE & CO. + +NEW YORK, N. Y., NEWARK, N. J. + + + + +Copyright, 1916 By Barse & Co. + +Polly's First Year at Boarding School + +Printed in the United States of America + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER I--THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL + CHAPTER II--THE PAPER CHASE + CHAPTER III--THE WELCOME DANCE TO THE NEW GIRLS + CHAPTER IV--THE CHOOSING OF THE TEAMS + CHAPTER V--THE THANKSGIVING PARTY + CHAPTER VI--A RAINY DAY + CHAPTER VII--BETTY'S DUCKING + CHAPTER VIII--CUTTING THE LECTURE + CHAPTER IX--THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS + CHAPTER X--THE VALENTINE PARTY + CHAPTER XI--PRACTICING FOR THE INDOOR MEET + CHAPTER XII--POLLY'S HEROISM + CHAPTER XIII--BETTY'S IDEA + CHAPTER XIV--THE FRESHMEN ENTERTAIN + CHAPTER XV--VISITORS + CHAPTER XVI--GHOSTS + CHAPTER XVII--POLLY INTERVENES + CHAPTER XVIII--WANTED: A MASCOT + CHAPTER XIX--FIELD DAY + CHAPTER XX--THE MUSICAL + CHAPTER XXI--COMMENCEMENT DAY + + + + +CHAPTER I--THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL + + +Seddon Hall, situated on top of one of the many hills that lined either +side of the Hudson River, was a scene of hubbub and confusion. It was +the 27th of September and the opening day of school. The girls who had +already arrived were walking arm in arm about the grounds, in the broad +assembly hall, and in the corridors, talking, laughing and discussing +the summer vacation, plans for the winter, the new girls, and a variety +of subjects with fine impartiality. + +In the Senior reception room Mrs. Baird, principal of the school, and a +number of the faculty were receiving and assuring the mothers and +guardians of the girls. + +Outside the carriages from the 5:04 train were winding up the steep hill +from the station. The girls were waving and calling hellos as they +passed one another, and on the broad piazza there was a quantity of suit +cases, and a good deal of kissing. + +Polly Pendleton, seated beside her uncle in one of the last carriages, +was just the least little bit frightened. She had never seen quite so +many girls nor heard quite so much laughing and talking in all her +rather uneventful life. + +Polly's real name was Marianna, but her heavy dark hair framed a face so +bright and full of fun, and her big brown eyes had so much impishness in +their depth, that to have called her by anything so long and dignified +seemed absurd, and so she had been Polly all her life. + +Until two months before this story opens she had lived her thirteen +years in an old fashioned New England town with her aunt, Hannah +Pendleton, her father's eldest sister, and quite as severe as her name. +It had been a very unexciting existence--school every morning with the +village minister, and a patchwork "stint" every afternoon under the +direction of Aunt Hannah. + +Polly was beginning to think every day was going to be just like every +other, when suddenly Aunt Hannah died and she came to New York to live +with Uncle Roddy. It had been a great change to leave the old house and +the village, but under Uncle Roddy's jolly companionship she soon ceased +to miss any part of her old life. + +After what seemed an age, the carriage finally reached the top of the +hill, and Polly, holding tight to her uncle's arm, was shown into the +reception-room. She was finding it harder every minute to keep down the +unaccountable lump that had risen in her throat, when Mrs. Baird, +catching sight of them, held out a welcoming hand. + +"How do you do, Mr. Pendleton?" she asked. "And is this Marianna? My +dear," she added, putting her hand on Polly's shoulder, "I hope you are +going to be very happy and contented with us." + +It was perhaps the fiftieth time Mrs. Baird had made that same remark +that day, but Polly, looking into her kindly blue eyes, felt, as had +every other new girl at Seddon Hall, the complete understanding and +sympathy of the older woman, and felt, too, without knowing why, that +Mrs. Baird had had her first day at boarding-school. + +Louise Preston, one of the Seniors, a slender girl of seventeen, with +heaps of taffy-colored hair, big blue eyes, and the sweetest and +jolliest smile, caught her principal's beckoning nod, and coming +forward, was presented. Mrs. Baird suggested that she take Polly and +show her to her room. + +As the two girls mounted the broad staircase, Louise linked her arm in +Polly's in a big sisterly fashion, and began the conversation. + +"This floor that we're coming to," she explained, "is Study Hall floor; +all those doors are classrooms. This is the Bridge of Sighs," she +continued, stopping before a covered passage which led from one building +to another. + +"Why the Bridge of Sighs?" inquired Polly. + +They were crossing it as she asked. When they reached the other side, +Louise solemnly pointed to a door on the left. + +"That," she explained, "is Miss Hale's room. Miss Hale is the Latin +teacher, and when you know her, you'll understand why this is the Bridge +of Sighs." + +"Goodness! let's hurry past if she's as dreadful as all that," laughed +Polly. "What's this long corridor?" + +"This is the Hall of Fame or, in other words, the abode of the Senior +class," Louise told her. "Junior and Sophomore corridors are in the +other wing, and Freshman Lane, where you'll be, is just above this on +the next floor. You see the classes are named as they are in college." + +"Then who are the little girls I saw downstairs?" + +"Those were the younger children; we don't see much of them until +they're Intermediates--that's the class just before the Freshmen," Louise +explained. + +"Now we'll find your room." + +When they reached the floor above, they were met with a shout of joy as +the girls, who were dashing in and out of one another's rooms, caught +sight of Louise. + +"Hello, Louise, how are you? Awfully glad you're back," called some one. +"Why didn't you answer my letter?" + +"Don't you realize this is _Miss_ Preston, that we're a dignified Senior +this year, and we mustn't be called Louise?" corrected another laughing +voice. + +Then, as they caught sight of Polly, they stopped short. It was Louise +who broke the embarrassed silence by asking: + +"Does any one know where Marianna Pendleton's room is?" + +At the unfamiliar sound of her real name, Polly looked so puzzled that +she added: + +"Your name is Marianna, isn't it?" + +"Yes," assented Polly, "but I'll never get used to it. No one has ever +called me anything but Polly." + +"Then Polly you shall be; it suits you, and Marianna doesn't." + +"How do you do? I'm Betty Thompson. Louise doesn't seem to have the +manners to introduce me." + +It was golden-haired, snub-nosed, freckled, little Betty, one of the +most popular of the younger girls, who was speaking. Her timely +impudence made every one laugh, and the ice was broken. + +"I stand corrected," murmured Louise, in what was meant to be an abject +voice. "I'll begin introducing you at once. This is Roberta Andrews; +she's in your class. This is Constance Wentworth; we're very proud of +Connie; she plays the piano wonderfully." + +"But she talks in her sleep," interrupted Betty. + +Everybody laughed at this. It was an old joke that Constance, when in +the Intermediate class the year before, had frightened one of the poor +new teachers almost to death by reciting Lady Macbeth's sleep walking +scene, at twelve o'clock one night. + +Polly liked her at once. There was something very beautiful about her +firm mouth, straight nose, high cheek bones, and big, dreamy brown eyes. + +"This is Angela Hollywood," Louise continued. "Don't take any stock in +her name, it's deceiving." + +Angela, who looked like an old-fashioned painting with her eyes as blue +as the sky, her pink and white cheeks, and her soft ringlets of +golden-brown hair, scowled threateningly. + +"Your being a Senior," she drawled, "is all that saves you from my +wrath." Then, turning to Polly, she continued: "Don't let her give you a +wrong impression; you see, she's jealous. I really am quite angelic--" + +"Do tell me when that is," demanded a voice from the other end of the +corridor. The girls turned to look and there, standing with suit case +and tennis racket in hand, dressed in a blue Peter Thompson sailor suit, +her tawny-colored hair tied half way down her back with a black ribbon, +her dark eyes dancing with fun, stood Lois Farwell. + +Polly, standing to one side as the girls crowded around the newcomer, +realized that in some way she was different from the other girls. The +welcome she was receiving showed her to be a general favorite and much +thought of. When in a few minutes she was shaking hands with her, she +understood. Lois was evidently born to be liked. + +The girls rattled on, asking a million questions at once. Louise left +for the society of her own class, and Polly went to her room to unpack +her case. + +In a few minutes there was a knock at her door; one of the maids had +come to tell her she was wanted in the reception-room to say good-by to +her uncle. As she started down the corridor she met Lois. + +"Where are you going?" questioned the latter. "Anything I can do for +you?" + +Polly tried hard to keep back the lump in her throat as she answered: + +"I am going to the reception-room; my uncle is leaving." + +"Better take me with you," Lois advised. "You'd never find your way +alone." + +When Polly reached the reception-room she found Uncle Roddy decidedly +unhappy. He was feeling a responsibility for, perhaps, the first time in +his bachelor life, and he didn't like it. + +She said good-by to him, promised to write, and received his hug and +kiss with a choked sensation. Something snapped as the carriage +disappeared down the hill. She realized she was all alone. She would +have given anything to have been able to run after the carriage and beg +him to take her home with him. + +The lump in her throat was asserting itself in tears as Lois came back +to find her. + +"Come on up to Assembly Hall and meet some of the girls," she suggested, +putting her arm around her shoulder and pretending not to notice the +tears. At this touch of comradeship the lump in Polly's throat, as if by +magic, disappeared. + +The rest of the day was a blur to Polly, as it was to all the new girls. +As she lay wide awake in bed until late that night, she tried to form a +clear idea of what had happened. + +"I'm quite sure I'm going to like Angela and Connie," she said to +herself. "And I adore Betty; she's such fun. But Lois is the nicest of +all. It was awfully sweet of her to ask me to sit beside her for Mrs. +Baird's welcome talk, and she's promised to take me over the grounds +tomorrow. + +"No one talked about anything I didn't understand, either, except +basket-ball, and Betty's promised to teach me how to play that the first +chance she gets." + +Then she continued sleepily: + +"Every one home used to say I was different from most girls, and Aunt +Hannah said I was a tomboy. But I'm just like all the rest--just an +ordinary girl." + +And with a sigh of contentment she snuggled down in her pillows and +dropped off to sleep to dream of the happy year to come. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE PAPER CHASE + + +It was two o'clock in the afternoon and the end of the first school day. +There had been no lessons to speak of. The new girls had been piloted to +the various classrooms, introduced to the teachers, received their books +and the general plan for the year had been laid out. + +At the close of the last period Lois Farwell and Betty Thompson met in +the Study Hall corridor, and locking arms, sauntered off in the +direction of Freshman Lane. + +"My, but it's good to be back again," began Betty, playing a tattoo with +her pencil on the steam pipes, that ran along under the windows on one +side of the corridor; "bully to be back," she repeated. + +"Bet, do stop that fiendish noise," begged Lois. "You're as bad as ever. +Yes, it is good to be back; what shall we do to celebrate?" + +"Let's talk about the new girls," suggested Betty; "how do you like them +so far?" + +"I haven't talked to many of them, the ones in our corridor seem to be +all right. I think I'm going to like Polly Pendleton a lot." + +"Oh! she's a duck," Betty agreed. "I like her already. The others are +nice, too, but there's something different about Polly, she's--" + +"Yes, I know what you mean," Lois answered slowly. "She's more Seddon +Hallish than the rest; she sort of fits," she continued, wrinkling up +her forehead in an attempt to explain a state of being not exactly +describable in words. + +At this point, they stopped to survey the bulletin board, and as they +stood reading the notices posted, they were joined by Louise Preston and +Florence Guile, both in Peter Thompsons, the accepted dress of the +school, but with their hair fixed on top of their heads, as befitted the +two most important members of the senior class. + +"We want you two," greeted Louise; "been looking for you everywhere; +we're trying to get up a paper chase for this afternoon, some of the new +girls are 'weepy,' and Mrs. Baird thinks their thoughts had better be +diverted from home." + +Betty assumed an attitude of deep dejection. + +"I'd sort of hoped to spend the afternoon studying," she sighed, +regretfully, "but of course I'll be a martyr for such a worthy cause." + +"Thanks, dear, we do appreciate your sacrifice," laughed Florence, "and +you, Lo, we can count on you I suppose, as it is a favor to Louise?" + +Lois blushed and looked self-conscious. She had been rather +extravagantly fond of Louise the year before, and it embarrassed her to +be reminded of it. + +"Yes, I'll come," she replied with a great show of indifference. "That +is, if I can be one of the hounds." + +"Of course you may, that's one of the privileges of an old girl," Louise +assured her. "But we must hurry; will you two go up and get the Freshmen +together! We start at three from the gym." + +"What about the paper?" Betty inquired. "I'll get it for you if you like +and find a laundry bag with a hole in it." + +"Do, and we'll love you forever," promised Florence, adding over her +shoulder as the two girls dashed off down the corridor: + +"Be sure there's plenty of it, we want a long chase." + +Three minutes later, breathless from their race upstairs, Betty and Lois +reached Freshman Lane. + +"Everybody ready for a paper chase at three o'clock," Lois called out; +"no excuses need be offered for none will be accepted." + +"Angela and Connie, you lazy ones, that means you, too, come along," +Betty commanded, bursting into Connie's room and discovering her curled +up comfortably on the bed, while Angela, sitting Turk fashion on the +window seat, was devouring crackers and peanut butter sandwiches. + +Pausing now with one half way to her mouth, she drawled: + +"Oh, Betty, you're so energetic, I don't want to go, I'm much too +tired." + +She received no sympathy, however; instead, she was dragged ruthlessly +to her feet and admonished: + +"Too lazy you mean, and too full of peanut butter; no, Angela, it is my +painful duty to save you from growing hideously fat." And Betty, as +though the subject was settled, turned her attention to Connie. But +Connie offered no opposition. + +"I'll come with pleasure," she assured her. "Anything would be better +than watching Ange stuff." + +Lois had proceeded to some of the other rooms and found their occupants +only too eager for something to do. + +"I can't find Polly Pendleton," she called as Betty joined her, still +holding tightly to the reluctant Angela. "Have you seen her?" + +Some one called out that she had not returned to her room after school, +so Lois went down to the Study Hall, in search of her. + +She met her half way up the stairs. + +"Were you looking for me?" she asked. "Louise Preston told me that there +was to be a paper chase and that you'd tell me what to do." + +"Oh good, then you know," answered Lois. "Come on back to the corridor," +she suggested; and slipping her arm around Polly's shoulder, asked: + +"You're not homesick, are you!" + +Polly smiled curiously, and half closed her eyes. + +"Not now," she answered truthfully. + +A few minutes before three about thirty girls in sweaters and caps were +waiting on the steps of the gym. + +Louise Preston and Florence Guile, eagerly assisted by Lois and Betty, +and helpfully, though a little less eagerly by Connie and Angela, were +dividing the party into hares and hounds. + +"All old girls to the right of the steps, all new girls to the left," +ordered Florence. "New girls are hares, old girls, hounds." + +"But doesn't some one go with us?" questioned Flora Illington, timidly. +She was one of the new girls for whom Mrs. Baird considered a paper +chase necessary. + +Florence turned to consult Louise, but it was Betty who answered: + +"Certainly not," she said decidedly. "You are entirely on your 'own'; +choose a leader, and run in any direction." + +"But we might get lost," Flora persisted, almost tearfully looking for +support to the rest of the hares. + +"You can't," Betty assured her; "don't cross any stone walls and you'll +be all right. The stone walls are the school boundaries, you can't miss +them. Besides, we're sure to find you." + +Flora subsided doubtfully, and Louise called: + +"Choose your leader." + +After a good deal of hesitancy, for the new girls were a little +uncertain of one another, Polly Pendleton was selected because she was +already generally liked, and partly because she seemed to be thoroughly +acquainted with the rules of paper chases. + +As Betty gave her the bag of paper she whispered: + +"Good luck, and be sure not to go out of bounds." + +Polly slung the bag over her shoulder as she answered: + +"We won't; how much start do we get?" + +"Fifteen minutes," Lois replied, hearing the question and adding, +regretfully, "I wish you could go with the hounds." + +Just then Louise blew the whistle, and Polly, calling the hares to +attention, started off at a dog trot in the direction of the woods. + +The hounds, left alone, grouped themselves on the steps to wait until +the fifteen minutes were up. + +"The trouble with these first races," Connie remarked with a yawn, "is +that they are so easy. The hares never know where to go, and we find +them a few feet from the pond, and then it's all over. Flora's idea of +having an old girl lead them wasn't so bad." + +"What! and change a memorable Seddon Hall custom!" exclaimed Angela, +jumping to her feet. "Con, I always said you'd no heart, and now I know +it. Besides, it's the best thing in the world for the new girls." + +"Something tells me, that with Polly Pendleton as a leader they may not +be so easy to find this year," Lois mused, gazing along the thin white +streak that marked the trail of the hares and disappeared into the +depths of the wood beyond. + +"Time to start," announced Louise after consulting the gym clock--and the +chase began. + +An hour later in the heart of the woods, the hounds stopped to consult. +Without doubt Lois' prophecy had been fulfilled. The tracking of the +hounds had not been easy. + +"Where under the sun do you suppose they are?" demanded Betty. "We've +been going 'round and 'round in a circle and there's not a sign of +them." + +"I'll admit I'm completely stumped," said Florence. "This track leads +from here to the apple orchard, over the bridge, around to the farm, +through the pasture and back to here. Where do we go next?" + +"What did I tell you?" asked Lois. "I knew Polly would give us a chase." + +"H'm, so did I," Betty agreed, "but I didn't think she'd do it as well +as this." + +The shadows of the trees lengthening out over the rich black ground gave +warning of the approaching sunset. + +The hounds looked puzzled. + +"Perhaps they have been doubling on the trail, and we've been chasing +them around the circle--I say let's go back the way we came, perhaps +we'll meet them," suggested Connie. + +They all thought this a likely solution, and in a minute they were again +in marching order, ready to retrace their steps. + +Connie's conjecture was quite true, as far as it went--that was, however, +not quite far enough to reach the hares. + +Polly, to whom all woods were an open book, once out of sight of the +gym, had found her way by various paths to the orchard and, by keeping +to the right she discovered the bridge. + +"What a piece of luck," she exclaimed to the girls who were running +beside her, adding, in explanation: + +"If we can only make a circle and come back here, they will never find +us--we can stand under the bridge, the brook's almost dry and there are +loads of stones." + +The other hares, only too eager to be led, acquiesced at once. + +Off they started, keeping well to the right, past the farm, and through +the pasture, leaving the tiny line of white that later dumbfounded the +pursuing hounds. On they sped to the orchard and panting, but delighted, +they again reached the bridge. + +"Everybody underneath and don't make a sound," Polly warned them, "and +keep well to the end so they won't see us as they come along; our only +danger is, that they may notice the short trail that leads down here." + +They waited for what seemed an age, balancing themselves on slippery +stones, very much excited, but very still, save for an occasionally +suppressed giggle. + +In a few minutes they heard the thump, thump of the approaching hounds +and held their breath as the bridge shook over their heads. + +"Safe," whispered some one as the sound grew fainter in the distance: + +"Where next?" + +"Here, of course," replied Polly; "we mustn't move, they are sure to +come back." + +After the hounds had consulted in the corner of the pasture, they made +the circle again. As they reached the bridge for the third time, they +were both tired and discouraged. In the middle they halted. + +Underneath, the hares huddled breathlessly and Florence Guile's voice +came down to them. + +"It's after five o'clock, really, I think we'd better give up." + +And Betty made answer: + +"I suppose so, but it seems dreadful to be beaten by the new girls." + +"Hardly by the new girls," laughed Louise, "beaten by that little Polly +Pendleton. I don't believe any of the rest could have done it." + +So proud were the triumphant hares under the bridge, that they didn't +even resent this remark. + +"Who can call the loudest?" Louise continued. "Betty, you can tell them +we give up, we'll have to go 'round the trail again till we find them." + +Betty walked dejectedly to the side of the bridge, pushed her flying +hair from her face, put both hands to her mouth and taking a tremendous +breath, yelled: + +"Come in! Come in! We give up." + +Before the echo had died away, sixteen grinning faces appeared from +under the bridge. + +There was a moment of speechless amazement, and then Polly asked in a +quiet voice that contrasted ridiculously with Betty's mighty yell: + +"Were you calling us?" + +"Look, they're here." + +"Under the bridge." + +"Where's the trail?" + +"Here, look!" + +"We're blind!" came the chorus from the startled hounds, followed by: + +"How did you do it?" + +"Have you been here all the time?" + +"Polly, you're a wonder!" + +"The new girls never won before." + +"Three cheers for Polly!" and suddenly the leader of the hares was the +center of an admiring and enthusiastic crowd. + +Something had happened, she was no longer just one of the new girls; by +this little act, she had won her right to a place in the big school. + +Had you asked any of the old girls to explain the difference they would +probably have expressed it as Lois had earlier in the day by telling you +that: + +Polly had proved herself to be thoroughly "Seddon Hallish!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE WELCOME DANCE TO THE NEW GIRLS + + +School had opened on Monday and today was Saturday. It had been an +exciting week for everybody getting acquainted and settled, and the time +had flown. + +Today was very important, for it was the date set for the old girls' +welcome dance to the new girls. All week there had been whisperings and +talk of it, but none of the new girls really knew anything about it. + +Friday afternoon the bulletin board had flaunted a poster of a big +smiling girl, holding out her arms in welcome to a shy little lass with +her finger in her mouth. Mary Williams had painted it, and it was truly +a work of art. On it were the words: + + WELCOME DANCE TO THE NEW GIRLS + SATURDAY, AT 8 P. M., IN ASSEMBLY HALL + +As Polly sat up in bed and stuffed her fingers in her ears--she hadn't +grown accustomed to the rising bell yet--she suddenly thought what day it +was. + +Bouncing out of bed, she slipped into a dressing gown, dashed through +the corridor down a flight of stairs to a long room lined on either side +with doors leading into tiled bathrooms with sunken porcelain tubs. They +had been built only two years, and so magnificent were they after the +old ones, that the girls had christened them The Roman Baths and the +corridor, Roman Alley. + +As Polly took the last two steps at a jump, she ran bang into Betty, the +freckled face. + +"Whither awa' in such mad haste, and what have I ever done to you that +you should want to see my poor nose any flatter?" asked Betty, carefully +pretending to straighten her nose. + +"Oh, I'm so sorry, Betty; did I hurt you?" answered Polly. "I was in +such a hurry to get a tub. Some one always beats me, and I've been late +to breakfast twice." + +"Why not try my stunt and get up ten minutes before the bell? But you're +all right this morning," and Betty pointed to the row of open doors. +"Turn on the water and then we can talk." + +In a minute they were both sitting huddled up on the bottom step, while +the water was splashing into their tubs. + +"Know who you're going with tonight?" began Betty. + +"No. Do you know who has asked me?" inquired Polly. + +She had known all week that on the morning of the dance each new girl +would receive a written invitation from one of the old girls, asking her +to be their guest for the evening. + +"Ha, ha," laughed Betty, "don't you wish you knew? Yes, I was there and +I heard you bid for; also I was with her when she put the note in your +desk. I think you'll be pleased." + +"Ah, go on, tell me, please," teased Polly. + +"Indeed, I will not," Betty exclaimed. "I will tell you that you won't +like Miss Hale any better this time next year than you do now--I will +tell you that we will have pancakes for breakfast--or that tomorrow's +sermon will be very dull, but tell you the name of the girl who is going +to take you tonight, certainly no--" + +She stopped short in her dramatic speech as she caught the warning +gurgle that water gives in a tub, just a few seconds before it runs +over. + +"Great Cæsar's Ghost! our baths!" she cried, and both girls dashed for +their tubs, and in a minute there came the sound of splashing from +behind the closed doors. + +Twenty minutes later they met at breakfast, both a little out of breath, +and true to Betty's prophecy, there were pancakes. + +After breakfast on Saturday there was an hour for study, and after that +the girls were free for the rest of the day. Polly could hardly wait to +get to her desk, but of course something had to interfere on this +particular morning. + +Just at the entrance to the schoolroom Miss Hale held out a damp, +detaining hand. + +"One minute, if you please, Marianna. I want to see you and Angela and +Elizabeth" (she meant Betty, of course), "in my room. Your books have +come and er--" + +Her voice trailed off into a murmur as she sailed down the corridor. + +Betty said "The dickens" quite distinctly. Angela looked bored but not +rebellious. She shared the other girls' dislike for Miss Hale, but she +adored Latin. As for Polly--well, you can fancy how furious she was. +There was that note in her desk and Miss Hale might keep them for hours. +She wasn't very attentive as the intricacies of Latin grammar were +expounded and explained. + +However, it did finally end, though not until fifteen minutes after the +last study hour bell had rung. Polly, followed by Angela and Betty, +started for Study Hall. At the door they ran into a group of girls. Some +of them flourished neatly folded notes. + +"What are you going to do this morning, Polly?" asked Dot Mead, who was +one of the group. + +"Come on out for a walk with us," chimed in Helen Reeves and Grace +Wright, a long lanky new girl who always agreed with everybody. It may +be seen from this that Polly was popular. + +"No you don't. She's going with me to watch the basket-ball practice in +the gym," Betty interrupted before Polly had a chance to answer. + +Just then Angela stepped up and put a note in Polly's hand. + +"Forgive my freshness in opening your desk without permission," she +said, "but I knew you were crazy to get this, and these wild Indians +would have kept you here till luncheon time." + +"Angela, you are angelic. Thank you ever so much." And opening the note +she read the following: + + "Dear Polly: + + "Please be my guest at the dance tonight and save me numbers one, + three, five, and the last. See you in the corridor after study hour. + + "In mad haste, + "Lois." + +Polly danced for joy. It was Lois after all, just as she had hoped. She +would have been glad, of course, to have gone with Connie or Angela or +Betty; she knew them all, perhaps, better than Lois, but then it was +easy to know them. It was different with Lois; as often as she had been +with her the past week, she felt there was lots left to discover about +her. + +The extra fifteen minutes that Miss Hale had kept the girls in her room +had given Lois time to make her bed, fix her room, and go to the gym. +She had left word with Connie, waiting of course, for Angela, to tell +Polly where she was. + +When the trio reached the corridor, Connie called out: + +"Polly, if you're looking for Lois, she's in the gym. She told me to +tell you." + +And as the girls started for their rooms, she added: + +"Don't worry about your beds; I made them." + +"You duck," and Betty threw her arms around her neck. + +"Yes, you are a duck," agreed Polly. "Thanks awfully." + +"Don't be so grateful," called Angela, retiring behind her door for +safety. "She only did it so she wouldn't be kept waiting. And they are +all probably pied." + +"Ungrateful wretch," Connie gasped. + +Polly and Betty went after their sweaters, and in a few minutes all four +girls were racing for the gym, a low, round building about fifty yards +away from the school. + +They found Lois, not in a gym suit, as they had expected, but in sweater +and cap, evidently waiting for them. + +"Hello," she called, "what kept you so long, the Spartan?" (A nickname +for Miss Hale.) "Did you get my note?" she continued, turning to Polly. + +"Yes, and of course I'm awfully tickled to go with you. You were awfully +good to ask me." + +Polly's voice was very earnest. + +Lois smiled. "Good, that's settled, and now do you want to go into the +woods and get some greens with me? Florence Guile and Louise Preston +asked me to get some branches for them. They are decorating Assembly +Hall and they told me to take another girl with me. We have permission +to go out of bounds," she explained. + +Then to Betty, who was dramatically tearing her hair: + +"Don't look so peevish, Bet, dear, if you expect to make the big team +you want to trot on and practice, not wander in the wood." + +"Do you know, Lo," Betty answered with a wry smile, "you have the most +discouraging habit of telling the truth just when I don't want to hear +it. I go. Farewell." + +She finished, disappearing through one of the French windows that led +into the locker-room. + +That long tramp in the woods, on that glorious day, with the fallen +leaves almost knee-deep and the crisp wind in their faces, did more to +establish the lasting friendship between the two girls than anything +else could have done. + +Polly, less reticent than Lois, told of her life in the New England +town, of the quaint old house, and lingered over the description of her +many beloved dogs. + +Lois, in turn, described her jolly father, who was a well-known +physician, her mother--no one was quite as adorably precious and young as +Lois' mother--and her big brother Bob, just seventeen, who was preparing +for college. + +"You see," she finished, "Dad didn't want me to grow up in a city, and +as he has to live in Albany in the winter, he and mother decided I'd +better come here." + +"I'm awfully glad they did," Polly replied, giving Lois' arm a tight +squeeze. + +Perhaps the quantity of greens was a little smaller than it might have +been, but for these confidences. Still what do greens matter when +compared to the forging of a splendid and lasting friendship? + +Even confidences must end, and Polly, looking at her wrist watch, a +parting gift from Uncle Roddy, exclaimed: "Lois, it's after twelve +o'clock. We'll have to fly. I hope you know the way. I'm lost." + +They raced back and just had time to scrub their hands and join the end +of the luncheon line. + +That afternoon they stayed together as a matter of course. They helped +the Seniors get the Assembly Hall ready for the dance, and before going +to their rooms at dressing hour, they had promised to help serve the ice +cream that evening. + +Polly was being treated just like an old girl and it seemed hard for her +to realize that she had only been at Seddon Hall for one short week. + +The dance was a great success, which means no one spoiled it by being +homesick, and every one danced all the dances. Ethel Brown and Marjorie +Dean almost upset things at the beginning of the fifth dance by getting +out handkerchiefs and daubing at their eyes. They were sitting at +opposite corners of the room, but didn't think of joining forces. + +Lois and Polly, standing near the faculty platform, were just starting +their fifth dance when they caught sight of them, and scented danger. + +"Look at those two," Lois groaned as she dropped her hand from Polly's +shoulder. + +Polly looked. + +"Bother," she said, "I suppose that means good-bye to our dance." + +They parted without hesitation. Lois went over to Ethel and Polly to +Marjorie, and as they danced, they listened patiently to a tale of woe, +and tried their best to cheer up their self-enforced partners. + +After the sixth dance the ice cream and cake and lemonade were served, +and for the rest of the evening everything went beautifully. The +"good-night bell" rang at ten o'clock, just in the middle of the +Virginia reel, but Mrs. Baird, who was on the platform, beckoned to one +of the Seniors and gave her permission for it to be finished. When the +girls finally did go off to bed, they were all very sleepy and very +happy. + +As Polly and Lois were leaving the room, Mrs. Baird stopped them. + +"Good-night, girls," she said, "you have been a big help to the Seniors, +but they have no doubt thanked you for that. I want to tell you that I +saw and appreciated your kindness tonight. I am proud of it in you as an +old girl," she said to Lois, and then turning to Polly with one of her +wonderful smiles that made all the girls adore her, she added: + +"And I am more proud to find that same spirit in a new girl." + +When Lois and Polly said good-night a few minutes later, Polly +whispered: + +"Isn't she wonderful?" + +"Of course she is," Lois answered, smiling. "I wondered how long it +would be before you found it out." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE CHOOSING OF THE TEAMS + + +"Polly, there's no use talking, you must learn to play basket-ball." + +Lois had delivered this command a couple of days after the paper chase +and Polly had therefore spent hours in the gym during the month which +elapsed between then and the opening of this chapter. + +It was now the first of November. There had already been one or two +really cold days, and every one had settled down to the routine of +school life. The strangeness had worn off for the new girls, so that +they had forgotten they were new. + +The chief sport at Seddon Hall was basket-ball. On the first of November +every year six girls, from the Junior and Senior classes, were chosen +for the big team. + +Three days later six substitutes were elected. These twelve girls were +the pick of the school, and twice a year they played against an outside +team. + +Although any girl from any of the four upper classes might be chosen as +"subs," the team had hitherto been composed of Juniors and Seniors, with +an occasional Sophomore. The captain of the big team was elected early +in the term and was always from the Senior class. + +Owing to the rather stiff exams of the year before, only eight of the +fourteen Juniors had made the Senior class. Those left had not all +returned and, counting specials, the Juniors had only eleven girls this +year. Fully a third of them were determined to work and had no time for +athletics. + +There were plenty of Sophomores, fifteen in all, but they were a queer +lot. There is always a miscellaneous class and this year it was the +"sofs," who had been dubbed "the impossibles." + +It had been rumored that on account of the scarcity of girls it was just +possible that the team might have to come down to the Freshman class for +substitutes, and great was the excitement. + +Betty, Polly, and Lois were discussing this unheard-of possibility on +their return from practice. + +"Of course it is just possible, but--" began Betty. + +"No, it's too good to be true," sighed Lois. "Don't let's think about +it. But I say those 'sofs' are terrible. Well, I'm going to dress; so +long!" And she disappeared into her room. + +"Betty, has a Freshman ever been on the sub team before?" Polly +inquired. + +"Never in my time," answered Betty. "But, then, never, no, never was +there such a set of impossibles as the 'sofs,' nor was there ever such a +bully center to be found in the Freshman class." This with a meaning +glance at Polly, who had managed to get the ball after the toss-up a +remarkable number of times that day. + +"Bet, you're crazy; why, I'm only a new girl. Lois would be first choice +and you second." + +"You may be a new girl, but don't forget the paper chase," said Betty. +"But you're right about Lo; she is wonderful. She's all over the place +at once and she keeps her head. But as for me--no, I haven't a chance." + +"Why, Betty, you're splendid at making baskets." + +"What good does that do me when I can't keep inside those darn lines? +No, it's Lo or you; the rest of us haven't a chance." + +"Chance for what?" inquired Lois, poking her head out of her room. "Are +you two still gabbing? You'll both be late for study hour." And giving +each girl a violent push, she brought an end to the conversation. + +The choosing of the big team on Tuesday was just about what every one +had expected. There were four Seniors and two Juniors; most of them had +been substitutes the year before. Louise Preston had already been +elected captain. + +The list of names had been posted Wednesday morning and the girls had +come in for their share of congratulations, but every one felt that the +real excitement would come on Friday. + +Wednesday, as soon as Miss Hale dismissed them (the Freshmen had Latin +the last period, and the Spartan had the most aggravating way of not +hearing the bell), Lois, Polly and Betty dashed for the gym. + +As they entered, Miss Stuart, the gym teacher, called to them: + +"Seven and you three girls make ten. We need two more for a game. Some +one go and get Angela and Connie; tell them I think they need some +exercise." + +Miss Stuart was a large, handsome woman, with a firm but good-natured +face. She was renowned for her fairness, and no one had ever even +criticized one of her decisions. She had no favorites, and the girls all +liked her tremendously. + +In a few minutes Betty, who had gone off to search for Angela and +Connie, came back, dragging them each by an arm. + +"Here they are," she called. "What'll I do with them?" + +"Better superintend their getting into their gym suits," answered Miss +Stuart, "and make them hurry." + +Ten minutes later she blew the whistle and tossed up the ball. + +It was a good game. Polly was playing jumping center against Mary Reed, +a big heavy girl, slow in her movements, but hard to budge. Connie was +playing second center with Polly, and as she was no earthly help, Polly +had to bounce the ball to the line and throw it to Betty, who was +playing forward. Poor Betty was breaking her record for fouls. + +Lois, guarding at the other end, was playing like a little fury. She had +to work, for Harriet Ames was so long and lanky that she managed to pick +the ball out of the air above her head, unless frantic efforts were used +to stop her. + +Every one was so busy with the game that the arrival of Louise Preston +and two or three members of the big team passed unnoticed. They had +slipped in after the game had commenced and were watching each play very +carefully. + +After the game the three girls met, as usual, in Roman Alley, as the +water was running for their cold tubs. + +"Hum, I don't call that much of a score--fourteen to four." And Polly +sank down on the steps in disgust. + +"That's because you were not trying to guard a giraffe with four arms," +answered Lois, dropping down beside her. + +Betty folded her arms in solemn dignity and stood looking at the two +girls on the steps. + +"Is it possible, my children," she began, in a voice ridiculously like +the school chaplain's, "I repeat, is it possible that you have failed to +grasp the full significance of this day's work? Where were your eyes, +and have you lost the sense necessary for putting two and two together?" + +Polly and Lois looked at her with puzzled expressions. + +"Elucidate, Elizabeth, if you please," called a voice from the top of +the stairs, accompanied by the click-click of a pair of Chinese +slippers. Startled, the girls looked up, half expecting to see Miss Hale +descending upon them, but beheld, instead, Angela's grinning face and +curly hair above a pale blue woolly wrapper. + +"Hey, make room there, you two!" she continued in her own voice, and as +she slipped in between Lois and Polly, she added: + +"I repeat, elucidate, Elizabeth." + +"Lordy," Betty murmured, "what a shock you gave me! The Spartan's had it +in for me and I've been trying to dodge her all day. But to continue, +you all seem to have lost your share of intelligence. Did you or did you +not see Louise Preston and some of the big team girls watching the game? +They were writing giddy little lists and having all kinds of solemn +powwows with Miss Stuart. Well, the reason is--" + +"Stop!" exclaimed Polly. "Betty, you're positively leaping at +conclusions. You said yourself no Freshman had ever been chosen." + +"And besides," interrupted Lois, "you're making my heart beat twice as +fast as it ought to." + +"Well, of course," Angela remarked, getting up and stretching, "there's +no doubt in my mind that I will be chosen for the sub team. As for the +rest of you, you have a chance." + +"You!" howled Betty. "A spoofy sub you'd make. You'd be helping Cæsar +build his old bridges every time the ball came your way." + +Lois looked intently ahead of her. + +"Now," she said, "I understand why Bet made all those fouls. Pure flunk, +we'd have all done the same thing if we'd known we were being watched. +And you never told us--Bet, you're a darling." + +"I didn't mean that. I was done for, of course, and I knew it. But pass +on the merry news? Certainly not." And Betty, having delivered her pet +phrase, made for her bath and slammed the door. + +Thursday and Friday mornings passed somehow and the fatal hour arrived. +Because of no school on Saturday, the Friday evening study hour was +omitted. The time was usually taken up by a lecture or a musical. + +There was nothing on for tonight, however, and after dinner the girls +collected in the Assembly Hall. Miss Stuart, Louise Preston, and the +team were on the platform, and in a few minutes the names of the chosen +substitutes were to be read. + +Betty, Lois, Polly, Angela, and Connie wandered off together to the +farthest corner of the room and tried to look indifferent. Betty +shivered. + +"Shades of the Tower of London," she whispered. "I couldn't feel any +creepier if it were the Black List that was going to be read." + +"It is uncanny," agreed Connie. "I never miss less than four balls out +of every five and yet I feel strangely excited." + +Lois and Polly exchanged understanding glances, and then every one began +to say hush, and Miss Stuart and Louise stood up on the platform. When +everything was quiet, Miss Stuart began: + +"Good evening, girls. The captain has asked me to read this list for +her. It's the names of the substitutes. If you will answer by coming up +to the platform, it will save time and keep the cheering for the end. + + "'First, for guard, Mary Rhine, Junior. + Second, for guard, Edith Fisk, Sophomore. + Third, for home, Helen Nash, Sophomore. + Fourth, for home, Lois Farwell, Freshman.'" + +(And in spite of the gasp of surprise, Miss Stuart continued as if she +had said nothing surprising.) + + "'Fifth, for center, Flora Illington, Sophomore. + Sixth, for jumping center, Marianna Pendleton, Freshman.' + +"Congratulations, girls, and may--" Miss Stuart's voice was completely +drowned in the cheer that went up. + +Some one dragged Connie to the piano, and for the rest of the evening +they sang school and basket-ball songs and cheered all the six subs in +turn. + +Of course Polly and Lois were wildly happy, and the entire Freshman +class shared in their joy. They boasted of having broken a record and +reminded everybody of what might be expected of them when they were +lofty Seniors. + +It was only when Polly and Lois were alone in their rooms after the +"lights out" bell, that they remembered Betty. + +Fifteen minutes later, when everything was very quiet along the +corridor, two ghost-like figures stole out of two doors and met at a +third across the way, and tapped gently. + +Betty sat up in bed. + +"Who is it?" she whispered. + +"It's Polly," answered one ghost. + +"It's Lois," answered the other. + +A minute later, when they were both curled up on the bed, Lois found +Betty's hand and squeezed it. + +"Betty, dear, I'm so sorry," she said. + +"So am I," agreed Polly. "It's the only disappointment in this glorious +day." + +"You know you're cut up about it, dear; no use pretending," pursued +Lois. + +"We saw you leave long before the bell. Oh, Bet--" but Polly was cut +short. + +"Saw me leave? I should think you might have; I didn't leave; I fled. +But not because--well not because of what you think, I saw the Spartan +coming." + +"Then you were not in the 'blues' all evening?" asked Lois doubtingly. + +"Certainly not," Betty assured her. "I was studying my Latin, and now do +let me go to sleep." + +It sounded very well, but as Polly and Lois each gave her a good-night +kiss, they noticed a suspicious dampness about her pillow. + +They stole safely back to their rooms, conscious of having broken a rule +for a good cause and, who knows, perhaps it was because the cause was +good that they were not caught. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE THANKSGIVING PARTY + + +Betty was sitting on top of the grand piano on the platform in the +Assembly Hall, kicking her feet and sucking a very large lemon by means +of a stick of candy used as a straw. + +"Thanksgiving comes but once a year," she chanted to no one in +particular, adding, with a heartfelt sigh to give the words emphasis: + +"Thank goodness." + +"Why so grateful?" questioned Florence Guile pausing in the act of +erecting a would-be gypsy tent out of a miscellaneous assortment of +shawls. Then, attracted by the gurgling sound of Betty's lemon, she +straightened up, and pointing an accusing finger, demanded: + +"Betty Thompson, are you daring to suck the lemon we were saving to +write the fortunes with?" + +"Well, yes I am," Betty admitted, dodging under the piano and smiling +impishly from this point of vantage. + +"Now, Florence, you are selfish," she teased; "it's bad enough having no +Thanksgiving vacation, but after the way I've worked my fingers to the +bone for you, you shouldn't, no, you really shouldn't begrudge me a +lemon." + +Florence tried hard not to smile in the face of Betty's mournful +expression, and made an attempt at rescuing the stolen fruit. + +The above took place at ten o'clock on Thanksgiving morning. The +Assembly Hall was filled with busy girls, and it was evident that +preparations of some kind were under way. + +Owing to an epidemic of mumps the girls had been kept in school over the +holidays, and for their amusement, and to ward off any chance of the +more serious epidemic known as "homesickness," the Seniors had been +bidden to entertain. + +Florence, having unsuccessfully pursued Betty twice around the hall at a +rate highly unbecoming a dignified Senior, paused for breath, and Lois, +Polly and Angela, who had watched the chase with interest, came to her +assistance, and captured the lemon from the now unresisting Betty. + +"Here it is, at least what's left of it," said Lois, presenting it to +Florence. "And we've finished the spider web in History room. What else +can we do for you!" + +"Thanks, ever so much," Florence replied. "That settles the little +children, they will be in there by themselves. Now if you'll only +struggle with that tent, I can't make it look like anything." + +"Don't worry about it, I think I can," Lois assured her, "it's for the +gypsies to sit in and tell the fortunes, isn't it!" + +"Yes, but it will never be large enough," Florence responded dolefully. + +"Well, let them sit at the door of it," suggested Angela; "that will be +just as picturesque and not nearly so hot." + +Florence looked with admiration at the girls before her. + +"What wonders you are," she said. "You've done all the work so far, it's +lots more the Freshmen's party than the Seniors'." + +"But you and Louise can't be expected to do it all," replied Polly, +decidedly. "And you know you're the only two that count," she added, +lowering her voice so that the other Seniors, who were willingly, but +unsuccessfully, attempting the decorations at the other end of the room, +would not hear her. + +Florence, a little confused at such frank praise, said hurriedly: + +"Well, you're dears to do it anyway and now, if you'll do something with +that tent I'll fly to Louise. I promised to help her with those +fortunes. We have to write one for every girl, and it will take ages." + +"Poor dear, and to think I sucked up half the lemon," said Betty +contritely. "I'll go get you some milk, it's just as good," she +finished, starting for the door. + +"You can't," Angela called after her. "The storeroom's closed." + +Betty, already out of the room, whirled around on one toe, and holding +to the side of the doorway for support, poked her laughing face around +the corner. + +"Then, I'll steal it from the cat," she said. + +For the rest of the morning, Angela and Polly, under the able directions +of Lois, who was undoubtedly very artistic, worked over the tent and +succeeded in making it look quite habitable. + +"It's not perfect but I guess it will do. I wish we could get a big +kettle," Lois said, as she stood off with her head on one side to get +the effect. + +"Well, can't we," questioned Polly. "There's sure to be one in the +kitchen." + +Angela, who was busy with the finishing touches, remarked hopefully: + +"The lights will be dim tonight and that ought to help." + +Lois walked to the edge of the platform and asked some of the Seniors +who were still busy at the other end of the room, to come and see if the +tent was all right. + +After they had eyed it critically, and suggested one or two unimportant +changes--thereby asserting their superiority--they pronounced it perfect. +The three girls sat down for a well merited rest. + +In the mean time, Florence and Louise, in the latter's room, were +racking their brains over the fortunes. + +Before the lemon was used up, Betty appeared with a half a glass of +milk, but she absolutely refused to tell where she had found it. + +"Well, it doesn't much matter anyway, as long as it wasn't the cat's," +Louise laughed, giving up trying to discover. "But now that you're here +you may as well stay and help us with these things." + +"My massive brain is at your service," Betty replied, flopping on the +bed, and preparing to make herself thoroughly comfortable. + +"Haven't you done any of them yet?" + +"Dozens," answered Florence, "like 'you will grow wise and wax fat' that +will do for anybody, but some of the girls must have special ones." + +"Who are they?" + +"First, there's Mary Reeves." + +"Oh! say she'll make the team her first year in college," suggested +Louise. + +"Who next?" + +"Madelaine Ames, what about her?" + +Louise looked puzzled. + +"The professors refused to teach her music any more," said Betty, +doubtfully. "Says she's incorrigible--like that, through his nose." + +"Good, we'll say she will go on a concert tour, and take the world by +storm. Now who?" + +"Well, there's Agnes Green," Louise hesitated. + +Agnes was one of the Seniors, with little or no popularity; a girl, +lacking the essentials of a leader, and yet always refusing to conform +or follow. Seddon Hall called her a grouch, and passed her by. + +"Ugh! I hate her," exclaimed Betty; "leave her out." + +The two older girls exchanged glances. They agreed heartily, but loyalty +to their class-mate kept them silent. + +"We can't, she's a Senior," Louise said quietly. + +"Well then, condemn her to a horrible end with my love," Betty replied. + +Florence ruffled her hair and looked thoughtful. + +"She's rather fond of the boys," she said. "We might say that she will +be the first in the class to marry." + +"Weak," Louise criticized, "but it will do. Now who?" + +"Luncheon, by the sound of that," laughed Florence as the big gong +sounded in the lower hall. + +"We'll have to finish these later--come on." And after a hasty dab at +their hair, they hurried out to join the line. + +Thanksgiving dinner was a very jolly affair. Each table was decorated +with flowers and fruit, and each had a turkey to itself. + +Mrs. Baird had her soup with the Seniors; her turkey with the Juniors; +her salad with the Sophomores; her dessert with the Freshmen; and her +coffee and nuts with the faculty. + +It was noticeable that each table enjoyed itself the most and laughed +the heartiest during the course that she ate with them. + +The afternoon passed quickly, and by six o'clock the girls and faculty +were all tramping into the Assembly Hall, that in the dim shaded light +resembled a wooded dell, fit background for the gypsy camp that occupied +one end of it. + +Supper consisted of chicken salad, all kinds of sandwiches, cake, +lemonade and ice cream. Just the sorts of things it's fun to eat, +sitting on the floor, picnic fashion. + +In spite of the big dinner, every one ate heartily. + +By eight o'clock the musical program was over. Edith Thornton's little +Irish Songs received their well merited applause. Two or three amusing +recitations were given and then the fortune telling began. + +The younger children were sent into the History room to entangle the +spider web of every color twine that wound in and out all over the room. +Every child was given her end of her color string, and they at once set +out to discover the prize hidden somewhere, and tied firmly to the other +end. + +In the big room, some of the lights were put out and the girls sat in +hushed groups talking in whispers. + +Every once in a while, a Senior dressed as a gypsy would single out a +group and lead it to the camp, where Louise and Florence as fortune +tellers would select their fortunes from a big black pot (Polly's +discovery) and read it out in a sing-song voice. If it was one of the +special ones, it would be received with peals of laughter from the +listening girls. + +Angela, Connie, Lois, Betty and Polly sat in a circle in one corner of +the room. They completely surrounded and hid from view what had been the +choicest plate of cakes. + +Polly looked with admiration at Betty as she finished her seventh piece. + +"Bet, dear," she asked, "how do you manage to eat so much. The rest of +us are birdlike beside you." + +"I concentrate," was the reply, "it's really very simple." + +"Will some one kindly divert her attention elsewhere for a while then," +Angela requested, "for there's only one piece left and I mean to have +it." + +The others, as soon as they too perceived this lamentable fact, made a +frantic dive for the dish, but just who would have carried off the prize +will never be known, for at that moment, one of the gypsies, catching +sight of the group, called to them: + +"You're wanted on the platform. They are waiting to tell your fortunes, +hurry up." + +Scrambling to their feet, the girls followed their guide to the tent and +waited. + +Very slowly Louise stirred the contents of the black pot, and silence +fell upon the room as she held up an apparently plain sheet of white +paper. + +"Betty Thompson," she chanted, and after holding the slip over a candle +until the words written in milk appeared brown and mysterious, she read: + +"You will become a famous Latin scholar, but you will die an early death +from indigestion." + +Roars of laughter greeted this prophecy, for all knew how Betty hated +Latin. + +Florence Guile read the next. + +"Connie Wentworth," she droned, "you will make a world wide reputation +as an actress, starring first as Lady Macbeth." + +The old girls understanding the allusion to Connie's escapade of the +year before were delighted. Then came Angela's fortune and Louise read +it with a smile. + +"Upon reaching your second childhood, at the age of eighty-two, you will +begin a strenuous and athletic life. Basket-ball and paper chases will +be your chief joy." + +"What a doom," groaned Angela, as she staggered from the platform amid +hearty cheers. + +Florence nearly burned up Lois' fortune which came next, and had some +difficulty in reading it. + +"You will achieve success as a great artist and excel in stage settings. +You will have one friend of whom you will never tire," she finally +announced. + +"I engage you at once," cried Connie, when the laughter subsided. "You +can design all the scenes for my plays." + +"That's easy," Lois retorted. "All you need is a staircase, a nightgown +and a daub of red paint." + +"Polly Pendleton," announced Louise, and the girls stopped talking at +once, "you will become a Joan d'Arc and plan successful marches for many +armies, after having been selected captain of basket-ball in your Senior +year and leading the team to brilliant victories." + +"Mercy! all of that?" gasped Polly, half laughing, half serious. + +The girls clapped and cheered her until Mrs. Baird mounted the platform. + +"I think," she said, "this has been a splendid Thanksgiving. I'm sure +we're all very grateful to the Seniors. I can't say I wish all the +fortunes to come true, for that would be a calamity, but I hope the nice +ones will, and now, good-night." + +The party was over, and the girls swarmed through the door laughing and +talking. + +Polly and Lois found themselves alone in the Assembly Hall. It looked +strangely bedraggled and lonely, like a starched party dress after the +party. + +They started for their rooms together--Lois said: + +"Well, it's all over, but wasn't it fun?" + +"Rather, the fortunes were great." + +"Yours was the best of all." + +"Yours is more likely to come true." + +"They both might." + +They separated at Polly's door and entered their own rooms. + +Among the many things that filled their thoughts, the fortunes were soon +forgotten. They did not know that at a future date, Polly, after three +splendid years at Seddon Hall, and Lois, after a longer time, would look +back with amusement tinged with wonder, at the truth of those same +fortunes. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A RAINY DAY + + +"Finished your outline, Betty?" Lois called out as the girls were +leaving the schoolroom after the last bell one afternoon. + +"Certainly not," answered Betty excitedly. "I started to read just the +first scene, but when I got to 'By my troth, Nerissa, my little body is +a-weary of this great world,' at the beginning of the second scene, why +I just read on all the last period." + +It was the first lesson of the Freshman class on "The Merchant of +Venice." They had finished Goldsmith's "Deserted Village," and this was +their first taste of Shakespeare. + +"Hadn't you read it before?" questioned Polly. "I have, and I adore it." + +"Adore what?" + +It was Lois speaking, of course. She had a habit of coming up +unexpectedly and hearing the last couple of words of a sentence. + +"The Merchant of Venice," explained Polly. "Have you started it?" + +"Yes. I read it, the last two periods. I'm as far as 'My Daughter! O my +ducats!' I nearly died laughing over Launcelot Gobbo." + +It was a miserable day; the sun seemed to have abdicated in favor of his +brother, the storm cloud, and the rain was falling in torrents. Betty +turned disconsolately towards the window. They were standing in the +schoolroom corridor. + +"Looks as if we were in for another deluge," she groaned. "Not even a +chance of a let-up. Now, if it would only freeze!" + +"What can we do?" sighed Lois. "Assembly Hall will be mobbed by the +lower school girls, and you know the noise they make." + +"I have it!" exclaimed Polly. "Let's get permission from Miss Porter to +use the English room, and then each take parts and read 'The Merchant of +Venice' aloud." + +"Polly, you're a genius; it's the very thing," chorused Lois and Betty. + +They started off in the direction of the classroom, but as they passed +the Bridge of Sighs, they were stopped by the two Dorothys. + +"Where are you going? Come on up to the corridor. Miss King has lent us +the electric stove from the infirmary, and we're going to make candy," +they invited. + +"It's quite regular," added Dot Mead, by way of explanation. "We have +permission." + +Dot had often tried to inveigle the three girls into joining various +midnight feasts and forbidden larks of which she was the originator, but +had always found them singularly unresponsive. + +Don't think they were prudes, far from it, but they had learned through +close observation that not enough pleasure could be derived from +breaking rules to compensate them for the loss of the faculty's respect +and trust. And, above all, their loyalty and love for Seddon Hall +prompted them to keep the few simple rules required of them. + +Betty regarded the two girls with lofty disdain and assuming an attitude +peculiar to the long-suffering chaplain, began in imitation of his +manner: + +"There would seem a certain amount of er--er--one might say--attractiveness +in your suggestion to an outsider, Dorothy, my child, one, let us say, +not familiar with your ability as a cook. For me, however, the +invitation holds no charms. Last time, if you'll remember, you put hair +oil in the taffy in place of the vanilla. I need hardly refer to the +disastrous results." And clasping her hands behind her back, the wicked +little mimic walked off down the corridor, adding over her shoulder: +"Good afternoon, my dear young ladies, good afternoon." + +By this time the girls were holding their sides with laughter. Finally +Dorothy managed to ask very weakly: + +"Then what are you going to do?" + +"There's not the slightest use in telling you, for you'd never believe +it," Polly answered. "Still, as you've asked, I'll tell you. We are +going to study." + +This startling announcement was too much for the Dorothys, and when Lois +and Polly left them, to follow Betty, they were lying in mock faints on +the corridor floor. + +The three girls proceeded to English room and knocked gently on the +door. + +"Come in," called Miss Porter's voice from the other side. + +She was a short, dark, little lady, with glowing black eyes and +unlimited enthusiasm. She was very bashful out of the classroom and the +girls, as a whole, knew very little of her. Just now she was correcting +Senior papers and was a little surprised at being interrupted. + +As the three girls entered the room Lois, ever the spokesman in serious +matters, began: + +"Oh, are we disturbing you, Miss Porter? We didn't think you'd be busy +and we wanted permission to sit in here and read 'The Merchant of +Venice' aloud." + +"You see," added Polly, "we thought it would be fun for each to take +parts and--and--" she was floundering for words. + +"And act it," finished Miss Porter. "Do you really like it, girls? I am +so glad. Sit down, of course." Then regretfully: "I'll be finished in a +minute." + +Betty caught the regret in her voice and exclaimed impulsively: + +"Won't you stay? It would be so much nicer; you can't have anything to +do on this miserable day." + +Lois and Polly added their pleas to hers and in the end Miss Porter +remained. + +They decided that Lois take the part of _Portia_ and _Jessica_; Polly, +_Nerissa_ and _Bassanio_; Betty, _Antonio_, _Gratiano_, and _Lorenzo_, +and they all insisted on Miss Porter being _Shylock_. They took turns +with the smaller parts. + +They had rather improvised stage property, but they managed to get on +somehow until they reached the casket scene. + +"Now what under the sun are we going to use for the caskets?" demanded +Betty. + +"We might use the 'Standard Dictionary' for the lead one," suggested +Miss Porter; "and here's the 'Cyclopedia of Names'--that might do for the +silver one." + +"I've found the very thing for the gold casket," announced Lois, who was +standing in front of the bookcase: "A complete set of Shakespeare in one +volume." + +"The very thing," they agreed. + +The stage setting was arranged and the play continued. Betty constituted +herself the musician and sang: "Tell me where is fancy bred, etc.," to a +tune all her own. + +An hour passed and they started the fourth act. + +"I don't feel a bit like a judge," announced Lois, "and, Miss Porter, +you ought to have a beard, but never mind. Let's see; this is the court +room and--" + +"The judge ought to sit in a prominent place," interrupted Betty. "I +know--a chair up there." And she swung a light cane visitor's chair on +the English room's dignified and highly polished oak desk. + +The stage ready, the scene began. _Bassanio_ pleaded with _Shylock_ for +_Antonio's_ life, but _Shylock_ gloatingly demanded his pound of flesh. +_Portia_, as the learned judge, made answer. + +"A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine: The Court awards it, +and the law doth give it." + +_Shylock_ rubbed his hands together joyously and gurgled: "Most rightful +judge!" + +_Portia_: "And you must cut this flesh from off his breast: The law +allows it, and the court awards it." + +_Shylock_: "Most learned judge! A sentence! Come, prepare!" + +Then Lois rose and, holding up a warning arm, began with suppressed +excitement, while they all watched her, intent on the coming speech. + +_Portia_: + + "Tarry a little; there is something else! + This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood,-- + The words expressly are, a pound of flesh: + Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of--" + +"Candy," called a voice from the hall, and in a second the door opened +and Uncle Roddy, preceded by Mrs. Baird, entered. + +Lois nearly toppled off the desk in her surprise and Miss Porter, who +had fallen, groveling on the floor, at the words "no jot of blood," +scrambled to her feet with a very red face. + +"Uncle Roddy!" exclaimed Polly, "where did you come from?" And she threw +her arms around his neck. + +"From Buffalo, my dear," answered Uncle Roddy. "I found I could stop +over here for a couple of hours on my way home. I am so glad I did, for +I wouldn't have missed this for the world. Please introduce me to the +rest of the company." + +Mrs. Baird made the introductions and then turned to leave them. Before +she closed the door she said: + +"Girls, if you have been at this all the afternoon, I think you might be +excused from study hour." Then to Polly she added: "I'll send tea to the +reception-room at once." + +Of course Uncle Roddy insisted on "the companies" joining them for tea. +Miss Porter had to decline the invitation on account of a special class +at 4:30, but Betty and Lois accepted with pleasure. + +After they were comfortably settled in the reception-room, Uncle Roddy +asked: + +"Miss Farwell, are you, by any chance, related to Doctor Walter +Farwell?" + +"I should think so," laughed Lois. "I'm his daughter. Do you know him?" + +"I used to go to college with him. We were great pals, then, but after +we graduated he went West and I went to England, and we lost track of +each other." + +"I'll write him about you this very night," answered Lois excitedly. +"Isn't it fun to think you know each other?" + +Uncle Roddy smiled. "I'd like to see old Walter again," he said. + +The tea arrived and Polly served. Every one did justice to it and the +hot buttered toast. + +"How long had you and Mrs. Baird been listening at the door, Mr. +Pendleton?" inquired Betty as she dropped four lumps of sugar into her +cup. + +"Long enough to feel sure that you will make a very great actress one of +these days," laughed Uncle Roddy. + +"Actress!" she exclaimed, taken by surprise. "Certainly not! I intend to +write." + +The secret was out and Betty, who had never intended telling any one her +one great wish, was terribly confused. + +Uncle Roddy, however, was deeply interested, and he talked books with +her for the rest of his visit. He was greatly surprised that any one so +young should have read and appreciated so much. + +Polly and Lois joined in the conversation every now and then, but +contented themselves most of the time with the candy that Uncle Roddy +had brought, which, by the way, was five pounds instead of one. + +When his time was up, the three girls escorted him to the door. + +"I've had a splendid time," he told them. "I'll surely send you that +book," he added to Betty, and then turning to Lois he called: "Don't +forget to give my regards to your father." + +After a last kiss and hug for Polly, he closed the front door, and the +girls watched him jump into his cab. + +"Do you know, Polly," announced Betty, as they returned to the corridor, +"I adore that uncle of yours." + +"So do I," agreed Lois; "he's a duck, and I'm so glad he and Dad know +each other." + +Polly smiled happily. + +"Funny thing," she replied, "but do you know, so do I." + +As the carriage jogged through the mud on its way to the station, Uncle +Roddy decided that visiting and having tea with three very interesting +and lively young ladies was much more entertaining then he had expected. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +BETTY'S DUCKING + + +Betty was bored. The impatient look in her eyes and the disgusted +expression of her mouth could be described by no other word. + +She leaned dejectedly against a big tree on the edge of the pond and +watched the girls skate round and round in dizzy circles. A white boy's +sweater enveloped her slender body and accentuated the forlorn droop of +her shoulders. Her white berry cap was pulled rakishly over one ear. + +There was nothing apparently in the scene before her to warrant +dissatisfaction. The sky showed a cloudless front, the sun was shining +with determined cheerfulness over the snow-covered grounds, and the pond +was frozen over with smooth mirror-like ice that beckoned invitingly to +the most exacting skater. + +Her wish of the previous chapter, that the rain would freeze, was +certainly fulfilled. + +Besides, it was Saturday morning, study hour was over, and the rest of +the glorious day was free, yet, despite all these blessings, Betty was +bored. + +Polly and Lois, who were among the laughing group of girls on the ice, +separated themselves from the rest and skated over to her. + +"What's the matter, Bet, why aren't you skating?" questioned Lois. + +Betty pulled off a strip of bark from the tree, broke it up into little +pieces and threw them one by one into the pond. + +"What's the use?" she answered. "I'm sick to death of going round and +round and round again on this silly pond, stumbling every minute over +some girl that doesn't know how to skate." + +Polly and Lois exchanged glances. + +"Why, Betty, you're positively peevish; what side of the bed did you get +out of?" Polly laughed. + +"Perhaps I am; anyhow, I'm sick of this. Why can't we skate on the river +where there's more room?" + +"I suppose we could, if we got enough girls together, found a chaperone +and got permission," said Lois slowly. + +"Oh! but wouldn't that be wonderful!" Polly exclaimed, "let's do it." + +Betty brightened up, and looked a little more cheerful at the prospect +of a lark. + +"Who'll we get to go?" she demanded, now thoroughly alive. + +"Angela and Connie." + +"They can't skate well enough." + +"Never mind, let's ask them." + +"Oh, all right, who else?" + +"We don't want too many." + +"How about Louise?" + +"And Florence?" + +"Of course, if they'll come." + +"That makes seven." + +"Isn't that enough?" + +"Who for chaperone?" + +"Miss Stuart." + +"She's sick." + +"Miss King then." + +"The Infirmary's full, she wouldn't be able to." + +"Miss Porter?" + +"She's gone to New York with the other teachers, to the opera." + +"I forgot, who's left?" + +"The Spartan." + +"Never!" objected Betty strenuously, "it can't be--why, we'd no sooner +get to the river than her feet would be cold, or her nose or her hands, +and we'd have to turn back; besides, she doesn't skate." + +"All the better," Lois said; "we can build her a nice little fire and +make her quite comfy on shore, out of the breeze, and then leave her." + +"Now, Bet, don't be so particular, she's our only hope," reminded Polly. + +After a good deal of persuasive arguing, Betty finally consented, and +they started off to ask the other girls. + +They found Angela and Connie coasting on the big hill. + +"Wait a second, you two," Betty called to them. + +They pulled their sleds off the track into a snow bank and came over to +her. + +"What do you want?" asked Connie; "isn't the coasting great?" + +"Yes, but the skating is better," said Lois, "specially on the river." + +"Elucidate," said Angela. + +Polly began: + +"Well, it's this way," she explained; "Betty's in a fearful mood, the +worst possible stage of grouch, nothing suits her. The pond's too small, +and she objects to the girls who don't know how to skate as well as she +does; she says they're in her way. Well, there's nothing for her but to +walk it off. We thought a select, mind, a very select number of girls +and a chaperone, and an afternoon on the river, where she'd have plenty +of room, might soothe her. Will you and Connie come?" + +"With the solemn understanding that if you crack the whip, I don't have +to be end man," answered Connie, thinking of the many times she had been +sent spinning across the ice. + +"I'll go because it's a select party," laughed Angela. "And because I'm +tired of this hill. Who else is going?" + +"We thought we'd ask Louise and Florence, and perhaps they'll want some +of the other Seniors; we had to have some old girls along and they're +the nicest," Betty told her. + +"Have you got permission?" + +"Not yet." + +"Who's going to chaperone?" + +"The Spartan." + +"You're joking." + +"We are not." + +"But--" + +"She's the only one left, the rest of the faculty are in New York, or +busy." + +"Who's to ask her?" + +It was Angela who asked the question, and Lois pointing at her answered: + +"You." + +"Never!" + +"You must!" + +"But why?" + +"Because you are the only one who has recited intelligently in class for +the past week." + +Angela gasped in astonishment tinged with amusement. + +"It's a plot," she announced tragically, "and I'm the victim. Oh, very +well, I'll do it," she ended stoically as if the deed in view was one of +awful villainy. + +"Be very polite to her," cautioned Polly. "Tell her we want her very +much, and don't let her say no. Bet, you have to ask Mrs. Baird." + +"Oh, make Lois." + +"No, you have to, Lo and I are going to ask Louise and Florence." + +"I like that--" + +"Come on, we must hurry," Lois interrupted her, catching Polly's arm and +starting for the house. + +Angela followed holding tightly to Connie, who she insisted had to come +with her to back her up. + +"I'll meet you in your room, Lo," Betty called over her shoulder as she +parted from the rest under the Bridge of Sighs, on her way to Mrs. +Baird's office. + +Polly and Lois left Angela and Connie waiting to learn if the permission +were granted before venturing to ask the Spartan, and hurried on to +Senior Alley. + +They found Louise and Florence in the latter's room, studying. + +They were delighted with the idea when Polly explained it to them, said +they didn't care to include any of the other Seniors, and stopped work +to go up to Lois' room and wait for Betty. They had been there only a +few minutes when she burst in upon them. + +"It's all right, we can go," she announced delightedly. "Mrs. Baird was +adorable about it, she suggested that we take a couple of the older +girls, and I told her we were going to ask Louise and Florence. She said +that was good, and she smiled; I know she wanted to laugh when I told +her we were going to ask the Spartan to chaperone." + +This was true; Betty's face had been so cast down when she explained +that Miss Hale was the only available teacher, that Mrs. Baird, who +understood girls as few women can, had difficulty in suppressing a +smile. + +At that moment Angela and Connie entered the room. + +"She won't go," they announced in unison, "says she feels a cold coming +on." + +"I knew it!" + +"That's too mean." + +"There's not another teacher left." + +"What'll we do?" + +"Leave it to me," Louise said slowly. "I think I can fix it, I'll go +talk to her. Wait here for me." And she was gone. + +The girls waited, carrying on a fragmentary conversation, and in less +than fifteen minutes Louise returned. She was met by a volley of +questions: + +"Will she go?" + +"What did she say?" + +"Tell us the worst." + +"How did you fix it?" + +She put both fingers in her ears in protest. + +"Stop talking so much and I'll tell you," she said. "Miss Hale is not +going, but Mrs. Baird is." + +"No!" + +"Really!" + +"She's a darling." + +"What a lark." + +The girls were overcome with surprise and delight. + +Lois managed to say a whole sentence without being interrupted. + +"Louise, you're a wonder, how did you ever manage it!" + +"I explained about Miss Hale's cold and asked her if she could think of +any one else. She suggested going herself and of course I wouldn't leave +until I'd made her promise that she would." + +"Does she skate?" inquired Angela. + +"She used to, but she said she didn't think she would today. She's going +to take a book along." + +"We'll build her a fire," said Lois. + +"Out of the wind," added Polly. + +"Let's take a steamer rug," Betty said, not to be outdone, and the rest +added other suggestions. + +The plans that had been offered earlier in the morning for the utter +obliteration of the Spartan were now converted into plans for the ease +and comfort of Mrs. Baird. + +At three o'clock every one was ready to start, the girls armed with +skates and hockey sticks. Mrs. Baird, dressed in a rough tweed walking +suit, carried a book, and looked, save for her gray hair, as young as +either of the Seniors. + +"Come along," she called, "we've a long walk ahead of us and time is +flying." And off they started. + +The steep descent that led to the river from Seddon Hall proved to be, +not only long, but very tedious. The path was completely hidden by the +snow, and an unseen tree root or stone caused many a trip up that +terminated in a long slide down hill. + +It was so funny to see some one suddenly plunge up to their waist in +deep snow, and then roll, arms and legs in the air, for five or ten +feet, that the girls were in hysterics most of the walk. + +When the river was finally reached without mishap and too much loss of +time, they were weak from laughing. + +"Well," announced Mrs. Baird, tears of mirth in her eyes; she had had +her share of troubles too, "we will not go back that way, we would never +reach home. We'll go through the village by way of the station. Now +don't bother about me, get on your skates," she added, as she saw the +girls spreading out a steamer rug and collecting bits of wood for a +fire. + +But they insisted on making her comfortable first. + +Polly and Betty made a fire and Louise and Florence fixed the rug in a +small enclosure made by a clump of bushes, and situated directly under a +big overhanging rock. + +When these preparations were over, Mrs. Baird settled down comfortably +and opened her book, and the girls put on their skates. + +"Say what you please," said Polly, "it's not as smooth here as it was on +the pond, and there's a crack over there." + +This was true. The sun had been shining steadily, and in spots the ice +had melted on the river, leaving an inch or so of slush on the surface. + +"Never mind, we can keep away from it, we've the whole place to +ourselves," exulted Betty, looking out over the expanse of ice, and not +seeing a single person in sight. "Come on!" + +Off they glided each by herself, at first, to get the swing. Then they +organized a hockey game, and for a while they skated furiously. + +"Fifth time for you, Bet, you're a wonder," Florence called as Betty +sent the flat disc sailing past Angela, through the goal posts that were +serving in place of cages. + +"Oh! I can't stop those, they come too fast; somebody change places with +me," said Angela. "This is too strenuous for me." + +"Oh, nonsense," cried Polly. "Get in the game, Ange, come on up in the +center, I'll play guard, if you like." + +"All right." + +"Everybody ready?" + +"Play." + +"Zip," sang the puck, darting here and there, in obedience to the click, +click of the busy hockey sticks. + +Florence and Lois were fighting over it. Polly, Betty, Connie and Louise +tried to interfere, and for a minute there was a wild skirmish. In the +excitement, Angela, who was hovering around the outside, got in some +one's way and fell flat. + +"Stop, Ange is down." + +"What did you do that for?" Angela demanded, as she sat up and rubbed +her back. "I thought I was keeping out of it." + +"Did you hurt yourself?" + +"No, not much, but I've had enough." + +"So have I." + +"What will we do next?" + +"Let's crack the whip," suggested Betty. "You lead, Con." + +"Not I, I can't go fast enough." + +"Louise, you lead." + +"All right, who's on the end." + +Lois opened her mouth to speak and stopped. She was looking over +Louise's shoulder. Coming toward her were four boys dressed in the +uniform of the Military School that was situated on another hill along +the Hudson, about five miles north of Seddon Hall. She knew who they +were at once, for she had often passed groups of them in the village, or +met them when out on a straw ride. + +"Look," she said in an undertone, for the boys were already within ear +shot. + +The girls turned. + +"Oh! the dickens," exclaimed Betty crossly, "why couldn't they have gone +somewhere else?" + +Mrs. Baird had also seen the new arrivals and noticed the girls' +hesitation. She beckoned Louise to her side. + +"Don't pay any attention to them," she said, "and I'm sure they won't +disturb you." + +Louise nodded and returned to the girls. + +"Let's play hockey again," she suggested. + +"What about the boys?" inquired Connie. + +"Don't pay any attention to them." + +"Well, come on, let's start," Florence whirled into position. But +Angela's eyes were glued to the group of boys. + +"Stop staring," Betty whispered. + +"I can't help it, I never saw a boy with redder hair." Instinctively +they all turned. + +"Carrots." + +"Brick top." + +"Stop, this is terrible, let's start something." + +"All right, get ready." + +"Go!" + +They took their positions and were again skirmishing after the puck. + +"Oh, let's quit, I'm dead," Angela pleaded weakly, after they had played +for a time. She had been buffeted about until she was completely winded. + +"All right, lazy, you rest and we'll crack the whip," teased Betty. + +As she said it, she took a chance whack at the puck with her hockey +stick and sent it spinning. Over the ice it flew, while the girls looked +on in fascinated horror, for it was heading directly for the boys, and +never stopped until it had landed at the feet of the red-headed one. + +"Betty!" gasped Lois. + +Angela giggled outright. Then, for almost a minute there was absolute +silence. All eyes were centered on the puck. + +At last the red-headed boy lifted his stick and sent it back. + +Betty called "Thank you ever so much," and he answered: + +"Don't mention it," and pulled off his military cap, completely +uncovering his fiery head. Then he and his friends skated off in the +opposite direction. + +"It is red, and no mistake," laughed Florence. + +"It's a wonder it doesn't melt the ice," Angela answered. "What's the +matter, Bet?" she added. + +"You're all very unkind, he can't help it," Betty replied, straightening +up. "I'm sure he's most polite. I like him," she finished decidedly. + +The girls didn't know whether to tease her or not, so, to change the +subject, Louise suggested the forgotten game. + +"Get ready for crack the whip," she said. "Bet, you lead." + +"All right, get ready--" + +"Who's on the end!" + +"Polly." + +"Go ahead--" + +The girls put their hands on one another's shoulders, forming a long +line, and Betty started off, skating fast and keeping straight ahead. +Suddenly, when everybody was going like the wind she gave a sharp turn +to the right and the girls went pell mell in every direction. + +It was loads of fun and very invigorating. They played it over and over +again, each girl taking a turn to lead. + +"Polly's first this time," called Louise, "and Betty's last." + +"Be merciful, Poll," Betty panted, taking hold of Lois' shoulders. + +"I will not," laughed Polly. "Get ready--Go!" + +Off they started for perhaps the sixth time. They were now well out from +shore, and in places the ice was quite slushy. Polly raced ahead, never +giving a thought about anything but the joy of sailing along with the +wind in her face. + +As she made the quick turn, the ice under their feet gave a sickening +longdrawn "whirr-r" followed by a sharp crack. + +For a minute there was pandemonium--what followed came very much more +swiftly than it can be told. + +There was a wild dash for firm ice--a startled scream and then the +horrible picture of Betty struggling, and up to her neck in the water. + +Lois and Polly made frantic efforts to reach her, but at every attempt +the ice gave another warning crack. + +Mrs. Baird, on the shore, called desperately for help, and the other +girls stood rigid with fear. + +It seemed an eternity, and then, the red-headed boy came, quickly, +purposefully, and took command. He sent his friends for ropes and +boards, while he himself lay down flat on the ice and wormed his way +towards Betty. + +She was still keeping up. Luckily the hole was small and she was wedged +in between two big chunks of ice. + +Lois and Polly stood helpless, waiting. Finally he called to them: "Get +the rest and form a chain to me. Some one catch hold of my feet--Easy +now." + +The girls obeyed quickly and he crawled along until he could touch +Betty. Very skillfully he took hold of her under her arms. + +"Don't struggle," he warned her. "You're all right." And mustering every +bit of his strength, he pulled her gently on to the ice beside him. "Now +pull me back," he ordered. + +When his friends returned with the rope, she was safe on shore rolled up +in the steamer rug, and Mrs. Baird was beside her. He was the center of +an admiring and relieved crowd of girls, who were all talking at once. + +Still master of the occasion he dispatched one of his friends for a +carriage, and another for a warm drink. "And," he added severely, after +he had given them their directions, "don't be so blame long about it +this time." + +The warm drink arrived first--it was in a flask--and Mrs. Baird +administered it sparingly. + +Then the carriage arrived and she left Betty and came over to the +others. + +"You have been splendid," she said to the red-headed boy. "I have no +words in which to thank you. I shudder to think what we would have done +without you." She pressed his hand gratefully. "Thank you," she +repeated, with a hint of tears in her voice. + +The red-headed boy, though a hero, was easily embarrassed. + +"Oh, please," he stammered, "it was all right. Nothing at all. Here, let +me help you get her in the carriage," he added hastily, glad of anything +that would put a stop to these embarrassing thanks, and because he +wanted one more look at Betty. + +This wish was of course mere curiosity. If a chap saves a girl's life, +surely he had the right to know what she looked like, or so he argued +with himself. + +"Thank you, if you will," Mrs. Baird replied. + +And together they lifted Betty into the back of the carriage. The +steamer rug enveloped her like a mummy cloth, but as they got her safely +on the seat, one corner of it fell away, and revealed to the red-headed +boy her white face and blue lips, that tried so bravely to smile up into +his eyes. + +The carriage jogged off at a snail's pace--Mrs. Baird knelt on the floor +beside Betty, the girls walked along the road easily keeping up with it. + +The red-headed boy watched the queer procession; he still held his hat +in his hand, and his flaming hair was the last thing the girls saw. + +Hours later, safe in the infirmary, surrounded by hot water bottles and +woolly blankets, Betty opened her eyes--she had been asleep--and +encountered those of Mrs. Baird. + +"What was his name?" she asked drowsily. + +"My darling child, I forgot to ask him!" exclaimed Mrs. Baird; "how very +remiss of me." + +Betty's gaze wandered around the room, then her eyes closed again. + +"Doesn't matter," she said slowly. "He'd always have been just the +red-headed boy to me." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +CUTTING THE LECTURE + + +Polly awoke with a start and bounded out of bed as the rising bell +clanged down the corridor. + +"I knew it, I knew it; my Latin won't be finished and the Spartan will +be furious," she exclaimed to the four walls, "but I did intend to get +up early. Well, it can't be helped now; hateful stuff, anyhow." + +For two days the snow had been falling, and the coasting had been +perfect. As might be expected, lessons had suffered. The girls would +come into study hours flushed with excitement, their blood tingling and +their eyes sparkling, and it was only the most studious that could get +down to real concentrated work. + +It was Friday morning, and a particularly glorious day. The grounds were +covered with snow three feet deep, the main hill where the girls coasted +had been shoveled out, stamped down, and refrozen until it resembled a +broad ribbon of ice with high banks of drifted snow on either side. + +The fir trees were weighed down to the ground, icicles hung from the +porches of the school building, and the gym looked like an ice palace. + +This enticing scene, with sunshine over all, made Polly look longingly +from the corridor window on her way to Latin class, a couple of hours +after we left her thinking of her unprepared lesson. + +"I wish it were the last period instead of the first," Lois whispered, +catching up with her and linking her arm in hers. + +"So do I, for a lot of reasons," groaned Polly. "In the first place, I +haven't my Latin finished, and in the second, well, it's a crime to stay +indoors on a day like this." + +"Really, girls, I must remind you, there is no talking allowed in the +corridors." + +The Spartan was upon them. One never heard her coming; she wore rubber +heels. + +"You will admit you were talking, I suppose, Marianna?" she inquired. + +"Certainly I will admit it. I was talking. I don't crawl, Miss Hale." +And Polly sucked in her under lip, a danger sign that she was angry. + +"I was talking, too, Miss Hale," spoke up Lois. + +The Spartan paid no attention to this, however, but marched off down the +corridor. Two minutes later she confronted them in Latin class. Polly +was still sucking in her under lip. + +"Papers for the day on my desk, _if_ you please." + +"My Latin is unprepared," announced Polly with deadly calm. "And," she +added, "I have no excuse." + +"Dear me!" And Miss Hale raised her eyebrows until they disappeared into +the depths of her large pompadour. "And is there any other girl whose +Latin is not prepared, and who had no excuse?" she inquired. + +As no one answered she continued: + +"And may I ask why your Latin is not prepared? Don't you like Latin, +Marianna?" + +"No, I do not, Miss Hale," Polly answered, dangerously polite. + +"You don't like Latin, so you don't prepare Latin; how very +unfortunate!" + +"I never said that was the reason I was unprepared. I told you I had no +excuse." + +Polly was getting very angry, still she might have controlled herself if +just at that moment Miss Hale had not lifted a restraining hand and +said, "Tut, my dear," in her most irritating manner. + +Have you ever noticed the effect "Tut, tut," has on an angry person? +Sometimes it's quite dreadful. Polly was no exception. She stamped her +foot, threw her Latin book violently on the floor and marched out of the +room, slamming the door behind her. + +Punishment followed as a matter of course. Polly had expected to be sent +to Mrs. Baird. She did not know how thoroughly the Spartan disapproved +of her superior's gentle lectures, preferring more drastic measures. + +It was not until after school, however, that she learned her fate. It +was in the shape of a note that read as follows: + +"Kindly keep silence for the afternoon; report in the study hall and +make up today's lesson, the advance lesson, and translate the first ten +lines of story on page 35. Bring work to my room." + +"Hard luck," sympathized Lois, reading over Polly's shoulder. "That +means no coasting. I wish I could help you." Then putting her arm around +her. "There, dear, never mind, don't cry." + +"I'm not," denied Polly, hastily daubing at her eyes, "but if you stay +here any longer, I will. Go on, or I'll blub." + +Lois left to hunt up Betty, who had completely recovered from her +ducking and again grinned joyously on the world. Together they went out +to coast. As they passed the bulletin board Lois stopped and read: + + There will be a lecture on anatomy, by Miss F. Tilden-Brown, in + Assembly Hall, at 8 P. M. tonight. + +"The dickens there will," exclaimed Betty. "Anatomy forsooth, and by +Miss Tilden-Brown. Nothing a woman with a name like that could say would +interest me." + +"That's right, think of yourself instead of poor Polly. Latin all +afternoon and anatomy all evening." + +Betty looked thoughtful. + +"Hum; she's already in a sweet temper," she mused. "I see trouble +ahead." + +At 4:30 Polly, with her finished papers in her hand, crossed the Bridge +of Sighs and knocked at Miss Hale's door. + +"Come in," called that lady. + +She was attired in a flowered kimono and was in the act of brushing her +mouse-colored hair. + +"My papers, Miss Hale," announced Polly in her most frigid tones. + +"Very well, if you will put them on my table, please." Then as she +turned to leave the room the demon in the Spartan prompted her to add: +"Have you nothing to say? You know it is customary when one has thrown +books about, to--" + +"Oh, an apology," interrupted Polly. "I suppose Mrs. Baird would wish +it." And looking straight into Miss Hale's watery blue eyes, she said: +"I apologize." + +It was insolence, of course, but, after all, an entire afternoon of +Latin demands some outlet. + +As Polly reached the corridor, Lois and Betty met her. + +"Poor darling, are you awfully tired?" Lois asked. "We did miss you so; +the coasting was--" but Polly interrupted her. + +"Lois, if you dare tell me what a good time you had I'll never speak to +you again." Then as she saw her surprised look, she added, laughing: +"Don't get worried, I'm just awfully cranky and my head is splitting." + +"Better wash your face in cold water," suggested Betty, "and stop +thinking of Latin. For instance, contemplate the joys of this evening in +the arms of Miss Tilden-Brown and anatomy." + +"What!" yelled Polly. "A lecture tonight. Oh, that's too much. I'm going +to cut," she announced. + +There was silence for a full minute. They had reached Polly's room by +now. Then Lois said very solemnly: + +"I've never cut before, but if you're determined to do it, I'll go with +you." + +"So will I," echoed Betty, springing up from the window seat. "I'd brave +anything--lions, Cæsar's ghost, or the whale that swallowed Jonah--rather +than listen to that lecture. Besides, I couldn't desert you, Polly. +Where will we go?" + +"Coasting, of course," Polly answered. "There's a gorgeous moon." + +"We will be caught," remarked Lois, "but then we're all willing to face +the consequences." + +That evening at 8:15 when the girls were all seated in Assembly Hall and +Miss Tilden-Brown was expatiating on the evil results of tight lacing, +three figures, standing on top of the hill, were silhouetted against the +sky. + +The moon was there, as Polly had predicted, making the snow sparkle with +its blue-white rays. The silence was broken only by the crunch, crunch +of the snow, as the three girls pulled their sleds into place. + +"You go first, Polly," said Bet. "It's your party, and we'll follow +close behind so the goblins won't get you." + +"I'm off, then," and Polly threw herself flat on her sled. + +It was great sport. The track was so icy that the runners made sparks as +the sleds whizzed down the steep hill. + +About nine o'clock Mrs. Baird stole from the Assembly Hall and sought +the rest of her own room. She had grown fearfully tired of Miss +Tilden-Brown's endless talk, and heartily sorry for the girls. + +As she reached her dainty chintz-hung sitting-room, she lifted the +window and stood looking at the big full moon and breathing the cool +night air. Presently a joyous laugh rang out, followed by another. Mrs. +Baird looked puzzled and leaned farther out of the window. + +The laugh had been caused by Betty forgetting to steer and tumbling into +a snow bank, thereby blocking the way for Polly and Lois, who were +following close behind, so that they all landed in the drift. + +"Somebody pull me out," sang Polly. + +"Sorry, can't oblige," came Lois' muffled tones. "I'm on my way to +China." + +"Betty to the rescue. Whose foot is this?" + +"Ouch! Oh, let go!" + +"That was a mix-up." + +"Where are the sleds?" + +After much scrambling they managed to regain the track. + +"Lucky thing we were not all killed," Betty reflected. + +"Serve us right for cutting," commented Lois. + +"'Bout time to go in, isn't it?" Polly inquired regretfully. + +"Yes, it's all over," replied Betty. "And now the consequences. Wonder +what part of the anatomy Miss Tilden-Brown is discussing now?" And she +chuckled gleefully. + +Mrs. Baird smiled broadly and closed the window. A few minutes later she +met the girls in the lower hall. + +"Why, girls, where have you been?" she inquired. + +"Out coasting, Mrs. Baird," Lois answered. "We cut the lecture," she +added, nervously twisting the third finger of her red mitten. + +"Perhaps you had better come into my office and tell me about it," +suggested Mrs. Baird, and she led the way down the hall. + +They were in the office just ten minutes, but in that time Mrs. Baird +found out all she wanted to know. Polly's afternoon in the study hall, +Betty's dislike for lectures, and Lois' love for adventure. She finished +the interview with these words: + +"I did not expect it of you girls in the past, and I am not going to +expect it of you in the future. I look to you as holding the position of +wholesome examples in the school. Your fault tonight was not very great, +but it was a step in the wrong direction. Pull yourselves up, and now, +good-night." + +As the girls turned to go, she added with a smile: + +"I promise you all, there will be no more lectures on anatomy." + +They walked thoughtfully back to the corridor. As Betty opened her door +she said: + +"For two years I've been trying to find an adjective to describe Mrs. +Baird and the nearest I can come to one is 'saint,' and that doesn't +suit her at all. Good-night." + +"Good-night," answered Polly. "I suppose there will be no more cutting." + +"No, I suppose not," agreed Lois, "but, cricky, I wouldn't have missed +tonight." + +They all laughed guiltily, and then as they heard the rest of the girls +trooping out of Assembly Hall, stole quietly into their rooms. + +An hour later Miss Hale and Mrs. Baird were alone in the faculty room, +finishing a conversation. + +"I can't understand," Mrs. Baird was saying, "why, when you bend a girl +to the breaking point, you are surprised that she breaks. You know it is +near Christmas and they are all tired." + +"Our ideas of discipline are very different," Miss Hale returned +stiffly. + +"Well, after all, you will admit I am the head of the school," Mrs. +Baird reminded her, smiling good-naturedly to soften the rebuke. + +"Certainly, to be sure," Miss Hale stammered, rather lamely. "I think +I'll be saying good-night." + +When she had gone, Mrs. Baird sank into a big chair before the hearth. + +"It was breaking rules, of course," she mused, smiling into the fire, +"but I can't help loving them for wanting to coast instead of listening +to anatomy lectures. It shows they've healthy minds anyway, bless them." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS + + +The first day of the Xmas holidays had at last arrived and fifty-six +tired girls were busily packing trunks and bags. Nerves that had been +overstrained for the past couple of weeks had relaxed, and everywhere +there was the noise and excitement of leaving. + +In Freshman corridor trunks were being jumped on and made to close, and +all the girls were exchanging addresses and exacting promises of letters +and visits. + +"Oh, Lois," sighed Polly, taking her chum's arm and leading her to the +end of the corridor farthest away from the rest of the girls, "I do wish +you didn't live in Albany. Of course I'll be glad to see Uncle Roddy, +but I can't help feeling that vacation is going to be awful lonely." + +"I know," replied Lois. "I wish we could be together; anyhow we can +write. Bet will be in New York and you will see her." + +"Yes, but Bet's not you," Polly answered. "But let's cheer up. Why, +here's Betty now; speak of angels--looking for us?" she called. + +"Oh, there you are; you're both wanted--Polly in the reception-room and +Lo in Mrs. Baird's office." + +"Do you know what for?" + +"No." But Betty's expression made both girls apprehensive. + +"Wonder what's up," queried Lois as they ran down the broad staircase to +the main hall. + +When Polly reached the reception hall she found Uncle Roddy with a big +fur coat over his arm, a cap in his hand, waiting for her. + +"Hello, Tiddle-dy-winks; thought I'd plan a surprise for you, so I came +up in the motor to take you home. It's a glorious day. If there are any +girls you care to bring along, why--" + +But Uncle Roddy's explanation of his unexpected arrival was cut short by +Polly's violent hug and kiss. + +"Uncle Roddy, what a darling you are!" she exclaimed. "I'll get ready +this minute and see who I can get to go with us." And she flew back to +the corridor. + +As she stood in her room throwing the remaining leftovers into her +trunk, Lois came in and threw herself on the bed, in tears. + +"Polly, Bobbie has typhoid and I can't go home," she sobbed. "Father +wired Mrs. Baird. Poor darling Bob!" Her voice was muffled in the +pillow. + +Polly's joy in Uncle Roddy's surprise was forgotten as she tried to +comfort her friend. + +After Lois had left the office, Mrs. Baird returned to the +reception-room where she had left Uncle Roddy. + +"Did Marianna find you all right, Mr. Pendleton?" she asked. "Such a +distressing thing has just happened! Dr. Farwell wired me that his son +has typhoid and Lois will have to remain here for the vacation. I am +sorry, for the child needed a change." + +Then it was that Uncle Roddy had an inspiration. The thought of amusing +Polly during the vacation had worried him. Several ladies of his +acquaintance had promised to take her about, but that had not reassured +him. Now if there were two of them, they would amuse each other, and +under the able care of Mrs. Bent, his worthy housekeeper, all would be +well. + +It was a matter of a few minutes to lay the plan before Mrs. Baird and, +with her help, to reach Dr. Farwell by long distance telephone. Over the +wire the two men renewed their acquaintance of college days and the +doctor was only too delighted to give his consent. + +In less than an hour the two girls were wrapped up in countless fur +robes in the back seat of Uncle Roddy's comfortable car, while that +relieved gentleman was at the wheel, and the chauffeur, always along in +case of tire trouble, occupied the seat beside him. + +As it was twelve o'clock when they started, Uncle Roddy suggested +luncheon at the hotel in the village. That was lark number one. The food +was terrible, but Uncle Roddy was so funny the way he imitated the +waiter and teased the big green parrot, that as long as the food was +filling, it didn't matter about the taste. + +On the road they had two tires blow out, and as the second happened just +on the outskirts of Irvington-on-the-Hudson, home of Rip Van Winkle, +Uncle Roddy suggested dinner at the Sleepy Hollow Inn. They had the most +delicious muffins, and pork chops with apple sauce, and very black +coffee. That was lark number two. + +But best of all was the getting home at ten o'clock. Uncle Roddy lived +on Riverside Drive in a big apartment, with Mr. and Mrs. Bent, his +housekeeper and butler. + +Polly had stayed with him for three months before going to school and +knew the lay of the land. She led the way to the big guest room that she +had occupied, but instead of the gray walls and sedate old mahogany +furniture that she remembered, imagine her surprise at finding soft +cream walls with a border of nodding yellow daffodils and the most +adorable ivory-colored furniture. + +Lois broke the amazed silence by demanding: + +"Polly, what a beautiful room; why did you never tell me about it?" + +But Polly was speechless with delight as she stood looking, first at the +big double bed with the carved roses at the head and foot and next at +the dressing-table with its dainty silver brushes and combs and Dresden +china candlesticks. A slender-legged table with a bowl of yellow +tea-roses on it stood beside the bed, and the walls were hung with +colored prints of Greuze's "Girl with the Broken Pitcher" and "The Milk +Maid," Reynolds' darling portrait of "Penelope" and "The Boy with the +Rabbit." + +Polly, in the days of Aunt Hannah and her four-posted beds and crazy +quilts, had dreamed of a room such as this. Finally she managed to +answer Lois' question. + +"I didn't know about it myself, till this very minute," she gasped. "Oh, +Uncle Roddy, it's beautiful! I never saw anything half so lovely!" + +"I wanted you to feel at home, dear child, and now I think you had both +better get to sleep." And after renewed thanks and good-night kisses, he +left them. + +A second later Mrs. Bent tiptoed in with a broad smile that took in the +whole world. + +"You're hungry, I'm sure, my dears. I'll have some hot chocolate ready +for you when you get into bed; just ring when you want it." + +Polly and Lois hugged each other for joy and after taking a +disgracefully long time to undress, they finally fell asleep over their +chocolate and cakes. + + * * * * * + +The two weeks of Christmas vacation was an unending good time; every +minute was full. The mornings were spent chiefly in bed, for Mrs. Bent +brought them their breakfast and sat to chat. + +Sometimes they lunched down-town with Uncle Roddy and sometimes they +motored through Central Park, or, with Mrs. Bent for chaperone, wandered +through the stores, and as the old Scotch woman could refuse them +nothing, they did pretty much as they chose. + +Uncle Roddy came home at four o'clock and always with bonbons and +theater tickets. + +It would be useless to try and recount all their doings, so you will +have to be contented with the descriptions of the good times that +pleased them most. + +One was Lois' box party for "Peter Pan." Dr. Farwell had written that +the seats were in her name at the box office for Saturday matinée, and +the question arose whom to ask. + +"There's Betty, of course," said Lois. "We'll phone her this morning; +and Angela and Connie live in New Jersey and we ought to be able to get +them." + +Betty's home was reached and her voice sounded over the wire in reply to +Lois' invitation: + +"Come? You bet I will! What a lark!" + +"Ask her for luncheon," called Polly. Then hurriedly to Mrs. Bent: "It +will be all right, won't it?" + +"Indeed it will, my lamb; any one you like; it's only too happy I am to +see a little life now and then," answered that devoted woman. + +When the receiver was hung up it was arranged that Betty would be at the +apartment Saturday morning. Angela and Connie had another engagement and +couldn't possibly come. + +"That's too bad, Lo. Who can you ask now?" + +Lois looked puzzled for a minute and then exclaimed: + +"I have it! Why can't Uncle Roddy" (she had called him Uncle since the +dinner at the Sleepy Hollow Inn), "and that funny man, Mr. Whittington, +come?" + +No sooner said than done. The long-suffering operator connected them +with the office in Wall Street occupied by George B. Whittington, +broker. He was a little taken back at the invitation, but answered that +he would be "pleased as punch and would meet them at the theater." Uncle +Roddy also accepted with pleasure. + +Betty arrived Saturday morning, and the three of them chattered like +magpies until luncheon. They drove to the theater in the motor and found +the two men there to meet them. Betty was introduced to Mr. Whittington +and she nicknamed him The Lord Mayor of London at once, after Dick of +the same name in the nursery tales. By the time the curtain went up they +were the best of friends. + +Of course they adored _Peter Pan_ and _Wendy_. They laughed a good deal +and cried a little and waved their handkerchiefs madly when _Peter_ +asked them if they believed in fairies. + +"This is quite the nicest party I ever attended," Mr. Whittington +insisted as the curtain fell after the last act. "Why can't we have +another one just like it, soon?" + +"But, Mr. Lord Mayor of London," interrupted Betty, "where would we ever +find another _Peter Pan_?" + +"Just leave that to me. I know the very thing, but I'm not going to tell +you a word about it. You must all be my guests for next Wednesday night. +How about it?" + +Everybody was of course delighted and accepted at once. + +Wednesday night finally arrived and with it another jolly party. Mr. +Whittington's surprise turned out to be the Russian Ballet, and as the +girls watched the fascinating première danseuse as _Pupin Fee_ (fairy +doll) in that charming story dance, they were wild with delight, and +Polly openly transferred her affection from _Peter Pan_. Lois remained +faithful, and Betty never could make up her mind which one she loved the +better. + +"She might just as well be talking," exclaimed Polly between acts. "I +know just what she's thinking with every move she makes. Oh, isn't she +precious!" + +"I know what the next composition I write for Miss Porter will be +about," announced Betty. + +"Oh, Bet, for pity sake stop talking about school. I'm in fairy land and +I don't want to come back," Lois begged. "There goes the curtain up for +the last act." + +The evening was over far too soon to please our party and when Mr. +Whittington said good-night, at the door of the theater, his guests left +no doubt in his mind of their appreciation and enjoyment of the good +time he had given them. + +Best of all days of the vacation was Christmas. Polly and Lois were +wakened at nine o'clock by Uncle Roddy's knock. + +"Get up, you lazy children! Merry Christmas!" he called. "Lois, I have +your mother on the phone for you. Come and speak to her." + +Lois jumped out of bed and in a minute was calling Xmas greetings all +the way to Albany. + +After breakfast Mr. Whittington arrived, and he and Uncle Roddy +whispered mysteriously. Finally Mr. Whittington said: + +"Get your things on, girls; we're going for a ride." + +"A ride?" exclaimed Polly. "Why, the ground's covered with snow." + +"Doesn't make any difference; we're going for a ride," he told her and +not another word could they get out of him. + +They rode in the car as far as Fort Lee Ferry and then Uncle Roddy +ordered them out, and they crossed the ice-choked Hudson on the +ferry-boat. + +"Please tell us where we are going," pleaded Polly. + +"I am simply dying to know; it's all so mysterious," added Lois. + +But "wait and see" was all the satisfaction they could get from Mr. +Whittington and Uncle Roddy, and they had to wait until they reached +Fort Lee, where a big double-seated sleigh was waiting for them. + +When they were all in and the warm robes were tucked snugly about them, +Mr. Whittington whipped up the two black horses and they were off along +the smooth snow-covered road. + +It was one o'clock before they finally reached an old-fashioned +farmhouse way up in the hills back of the Hudson. + +"Every one out!" ordered Uncle Roddy. + +"What a ducky old house! But what are we here for?" asked Lois. + +"I know," laughed Polly, stamping her feet on the porch. "An +old-fashioned Xmas dinner." + +"Quite right, Polly, and I hope it's a good one, for I'm starved. But +here are Mr. and Mrs. Hopper, let's ask them about it." + +As Mr. Whittington was speaking the door had opened and an old lady and +gentleman stood in the hall. + +"Merry Xmas to you both," he continued, shaking them each by the hand. +"Let me introduce you to the rest. Girls, this is Mrs. John Samuel +Hopper, the finest cook in the State of New York; every chance I get to +eat one of her turkeys--well, I take it," he explained. + +The old lady blushed with pleasure. + +"Won't you be coming in?" she invited. "The dinner's ready, so you'd +best set." + +You may be sure they all did justice to the roast duck and turkey, for +their ride had given them hearty appetites. + +After dinner they went out to inspect the farm and ended by having a +royal snow fight. When it was over Uncle Roddy suggested more to eat and +they spent the rest of the afternoon before the open fire, roasting +chestnuts and apples, while the men entertained them with stories of +their college days. + +The vacation ended at last and Uncle Roddy saw them off, each with a box +of candy and a bunch of violets, at the Grand Central Station. + +Seddon Hall had a private car for the girls and as each one entered they +were greeted by a chorus of shouts: + +"Hello, did you have a good time?" + +"So sorry I couldn't come and see you that day." + +"Why didn't you answer my letter?" + +"Didn't you adore 'Peter Pan'?" and a thousand other questions. + +They reached school at six o'clock and as Polly and Lois strolled down +the corridor, waiting for the supper bell, Lois said: + +"Well, here we are, back again. Polly, I never had such a good time. +I'll never be able to thank you." + +"Oh, bother the thanks," replied Polly. "Do you know, Lois, now that +we're back I feel as if we had never been away." + +"I know," Lois sighed regretfully. "It's more like a wonderful dream. +Still it is good to be back, you know it is." + +"Of course it is," Polly agreed heartily. + +Just then the gong rang and they went down to supper. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE VALENTINE PARTY + + +On the twelfth of February, Mrs. Baird announced after school, that +there would be a masquerade party on Valentine's Day. + +"Last year, the old girls will remember, that we had a book party, and +it was great fun," she said, "but this year, I have thought of something +entirely new. I want you all to dress as famous women in history. Choose +the particular heroine you admire most, find a picture of her in the +library, and try to copy it. The attic will be open this afternoon and +you may take what you want from the costume trunks. The Seniors have the +affair in charge and they are offering a prize for the best +representation." The girls clapped their appreciation of this novel idea +and Mrs. Baird continued: + +"Don't all come as Queen Elizabeths, and Betsy Rosses, find some one not +so well known, and whom you really admire. There will be lots of +visitors on the platform and I want you all to look your best." + +"Jemima," Betty gasped, when they had been dismissed and she, Lois and +Polly were in the latter's room. "Who under the sun can we go as?" + +"It is hard, isn't it?" Lois said, "but you had a splendid costume last +year; didn't you go as the Last of the Mohicans?" + +"Yes, I have my Indian suit." + +"Why don't you go as Pocahontas?" Polly suggested. "Your hair isn't +black, but it would look great in two heavy braids." + +"That's just what I'll do. I'll go grab that suit before any of the +others get it." And Betty dashed for the attic. + +Lois jumped as the door slammed. "Isn't that just like Bet, she ought to +go as a little whirlwind. Poll, what can we go as?" + +"I don't know, let's ask Miss Porter." + +"Do you suppose we can find her?" + +"Yes, she's probably in her room." + +They walked down Faculty Corridor, and tapped gently at the last door on +the left. + +"Come in," called a voice, not Miss Porter's. + +They entered, to find Miss King, the trained nurse, sitting on the +window box, a bunch of artificial flowers in one hand, and a rather +battered velvet hat in the other. + +"Is Miss Porter here?" Lois asked. + +"Yes, just a minute," Miss Porter was struggling in the depths of her +closet. "I'll be with you in a second; sit down." + +"What is it, costumes?" Miss King asked, when they were seated on the +couch. + +"Yes, we thought Miss Porter would help us decide what to wear," Polly +explained. + +"I'm here about costumes, too, but it's hardly the same. I'm begging. I +found that poor little wretch Martha, who works in the laundry, out +yesterday without a hat. I told her she'd catch her death of cold and to +go put one on right away. She said she couldn't because she didn't have +any." + +"Oh, the poor kid," Polly's sympathy was genuine. + +"I've a tam I could give her to wear every day," she said shyly, "if you +think--" + +"Think, I know she'd love it. I'll come to your room and get it after +you've had your talk with Miss Porter. Thank you. I was trying to rig up +something out of these," she shook the flowers and hat, "but a tam will +save the day." + +While this conversation was going on, Lois had been explaining their +difficulty to Miss Porter. + +"'Women in History.' That ought to be easy." Miss Porter thought for a +minute. "Mrs. Baird really wants you to go as your favorite characters? +Lois, who is your favorite heroine?" + +"Jeanne d'Arc, the martyred Maid of Orleans," Lois replied dramatically. +"Do you think I might go as Jeanne d'Arc?" she asked eagerly. + +"I like that," Polly interrupted. "I thought at the Hallow-e'en party I +was to be a Jeanne d'Arc. Oh, well, I give up my rights for this once; +besides," she added seriously, "I don't really love her the way you do." + +"Won't armor be hard to imitate?" Miss King asked. + +Miss Porter walked over beside the window and took down a framed picture +from the wall. She held it behind her back. + +"Armor won't be necessary," she said. "Lois, have you ever seen the +Jeanne d'Arc painting by Jules Bastien-Lepage, at the Metropolitan +Museum in New York City?" + +"Oh, yes, of course, I saw it this vacation. She's standing in the +woods, just in peasant clothes. I love it. She looks as if she were +seeing visions. You remember it, Poll?" Lois was all excitement. + +"Here's a copy of it," Miss Porter said, producing the picture. "And +Lois, I declare you look like her. There, you may keep this print to +refer to, it ought to be very easy to find a peasant's costume. Now +Polly, who's your favorite heroine?" + +Polly rumpled her hair, hesitated, and rumpled her hair again. + +"She's not very well known, at least, I never heard any one talk about +her," she answered, "but I think she's the bravest woman that ever +lived. We had a book about her at home, that I used to read and re-read +on rainy days." + +"Well, what's her name?" Lois demanded impatiently. + +"Florence Nightingale, the Angel of the Crimea," Polly said, very +solemnly. + +"Oh, Polly, do you love her, too?" Miss King's eyes were shining. "So do +I." + +"You couldn't choose a better woman to portray, dear child," Miss Porter +spoke up. "You'll find the Seniors know all about her. They are studying +about the Crimean War this winter." + +"Please tell me who she was, I never even heard of her," said Lois +apologetically. + +Miss King began: "She was an Englishwoman, the first one to go out as a +nurse for the soldiers. She thought that if they fought for their +country, the least their country could do for them was to give them +proper care when they were wounded. At first the generals resented her +interfering and thought she was fussy because she wanted clean hospitals +and clean food--" + +"But the soldiers adored her," Polly interrupted, and then carried away +by the theme, she continued. "She always walked through the long +hospital wards every night and they used to turn and kiss her shadow on +the wall as she passed, and they named her the Angel of the Crimea. Oh, +she was so brave. All the hardships she went through, cold and hunger." +Polly stopped speaking, but her thoughts went back to the stirring +scenes she had read about and thrilled over so often in a certain little +window seat off the broad stairway in her old home. + +Miss King's voice recalled her, "I can give you a costume, one of my +'kerchiefs will do, and I know how to make a Nightingale cap. We'll part +your hair in the middle and fix it low on your neck and--" + +They took the rest of the afternoon to discuss the plans. It was not +until the dressing hour that Polly and Lois saw Betty again. She had +apparently found her costume without any trouble, for she had been +skating all afternoon. + +"The ice was bully," she greeted them. "Where have you been all this +time?" + +"With Miss Porter; did you find your costume?" Polly answered. + +"Yes, first thing. Have you decided what you're going as?" + +"Yes, but we're not telling," Lois teased. "We thought out peachy ones." + +"Ah, please." + +"No, never." + +"Do you know what any of the others are going as?" + +The conversation was being shouted from room to room. + +"No, do you?" + +"Connie is going as Lady Macbeth." + +"What, why she's not historical, she's Shakespearean," Polly protested. + +"Connie insists she was a real woman, and that Shakespeare knew all +about her. Anyway, she says she's going to walk in her sleep and say: +'Out, damned spot.'" + +"Are you really, Con?" Lois raised her voice so that it could be heard +at the other end of the corridor. + +"Am I really what?" came Connie's reply. + +"Going as Lady Macbeth at the party?" + +"Of course I am. She was a real person." + +"Well, she wasn't very well known," Angela added her voice to the +others. + +"Maybe not, to the uneducated," Connie said loftily, "but she will be +after the party." + +There was a minute of hilarious laughter, that ended as the study hour +bell rang for silence. + +After dinner, Lois and Polly, their weighty problem of costumes off +their minds, were talking of valentines. + +"If we could only think of something different, there are no really good +ones at the store," Lois said, rummaging in the closet for the peanut +butter jar. + +"I know it. I bought some but they are no good. How do you send them, +through the mails?" Polly asked. + +"No, the Seniors make a big red box and put it in the Assembly Room +valentine morning, and everybody puts their letters in it. The box is +opened at the party and the valentines are given out." + +"How would it be to make some red cardboard hearts and write verses on +them?" + +"Make them up, do you mean?" + +"Yes, about the girls." + +"Fine, let's try--but first let's get comfy." + +Lois' definition of comfy was to sit tailor fashion on a bed surrounded +by pillows, with jam, crackers and other eatables near at hand. + +Polly preferred the window seat, it was broad and cozy, and you could +always look out of the window when you wanted inspiration. + +"All ready," Lois said, sitting down. "Give me a pencil. Now, who +first?" + +"You take Bet, and I'll take Connie," Polly said. + +They both wrote for a minute, and then Lois read: + + "Oh, Betty Thompson, Betty B., + When you get this please think of me + +No, that's no good." + +"It is good," Polly protested feebly, "but it's not especially +original." + +"That's awful," Lois insisted, drawing a heavy line through the words. + +"What's yours to Connie?" + + "To Connie, our musician, a valentine we send, + We hope that when she gets this she will her manners mend." + +"That rimes," Lois said reluctantly. "But there's nothing the matter +with Con's manners, so it doesn't make sense." + +"That's just it," Polly agreed hopelessly. "We can't write sense that +rimes, because we're not poets." + +"Betty can, let's get her to help. You go, I'm so comfy." + +"All right, lazy one, don't eat all the jam before I get back," and +Polly left, to return in a few minutes with Betty. + +"Original valentines, that's a bully idea," she said when the plan had +been explained to her. "Let's start with Connie." + +Polly and Lois agreed. They did not think it necessary to say that they +had already started with Connie. + +"Four lines are enough, let's see, what rimes with valentine? Columbine, +turpentine--aha! I've got it." Betty scribbled furiously. "How's this? + + "Just to tell you, Connie, + That a drop of turpentine, + Will take the blood stain off your hand, + We send this valentine." + +"Oh, Bet, that's great. How did you ever think of it?" Polly was filled +with admiration. + +"Oh, genius is burning tonight, that's all," Betty laughed. "Now let's +think of one for Angela." + +"Something about Latin for her, don't you think?" Polly said. + +The suggestion was enough for Betty. "Fine, dine, pine," she chanted. +"Listen: + + "Angela, so fair and wise, + Oh hear us sadly pine, + We've tried, but couldn't find you + A Latin valentine." + +Lois and Polly looked at each other in speechless wonder, and Betty, now +thoroughly started, wrote absurd jingles to all the girls. She reached +the height of her achievement in Louise Preston. + +"Read it again, Bet, it's the best of all," Polly said, delighted. And +Lois spread a cracker inches thick with jam, and presented it-- + +"To the Poet," she said. "I haven't a laurel wreath so this will have to +do." + +"You can't eat it until you've read the poem again," Polly insisted. + +"Oh, all right." Betty consulted her pad. + + "Some people sigh, and wish for the day, + When work is all gone, and there's only play. + But if the world were black as ink, + We wouldn't care at all + If Lois were always captain + And our hearts her basket ball." + +"I don't think much of it, the meter changes," Betty said critically. + +"That's all right, as long as it doesn't change in the same verse," +Polly replied. "I think it's great. Who next?" + +"Oh, no more tonight," Betty groaned, "give me my cracker. I'm starved." + +"No time, there goes the silence bell." Lois laughed. + +"No time? Just watch me," and Betty put the whole cracker in her mouth +at once, and left for her own room. + +"Good-night," Polly and Lois called after her, but she could only nod in +response. + +The party was at its height. Every age and every country was represented +in the costumes. Betsy Rosses, Grace Darlings and Pocahontases abounded +among the younger children. And there was every known character from +Agrippa of Roman fame, to Queen Victoria, among the upper school. High +ruffs danced with 'kerchiefs, and French heels, with sandals. In fact, +every one had taken so much interest in their costume that the Seniors +and faculty, who were acting as judges, were hard put to find any one +particular girl who outshone the rest. + +Lois and Betty had drifted off to a corner of the room, during the +refreshments. They made a curious picture against the boughs of green +that decked the walls. Betty was a stolid Indian maid, from the beaded +moccasins to her parted hair, her face was smeared with grease paint, +and she had tribal marks all over her forehead and cheeks. Polly looked +very efficient in her immaculate nurse's costume, her hair was parted +severely, and she had on a soft white winged cap. Over her uniform she +wore a long gray cape. No one had been able to name her, and after the +guessing was over she spent her time in explaining, and exalting +Florence Nightingale. + +As for Lois, Miss Porter was right when she said that she looked like +Bastien-Lepage's picture of Jeanne d'Arc, and certainly rags became her. +She had found a bodice, that laced over a white blouse, and an old +patched skirt. Miss Porter had fixed her hair in a soft careless knot, +and as she stood beside Polly and Betty, a little tired from the +excitement of the evening, there was a far away, dreamy look in her eyes +that bespoke the seeing of glorious visions. + +"Louise asked me if we sent her that valentine," Lois said, between sips +of lemonade. + +"Did you tell her we did?" Polly inquired. + +"Yes, I did, because she said it was the sweetest one she'd received, +and I just had to let her know that Bet wrote it." + +Betty said: "Oh, shucks, why did you do that?" and changed the subject +by asking: "Who do you think will get the prize?" + +The answer was cut short as Angela, who was Catharine of Russia, and +Connie joined them. + +"Well, Lady Macbeth," Polly greeted them, "have you established your +claim to being a real historical character yet?" + +"I have, doubter," Connie answered haughtily. "There was a real Lady +Macbeth, Mrs. Baird says so, and, 'sure she is an honorable man, woman,' +I mean, 'Therefore, avaunt and quit my sight, let the earth hide thee, +and thy base mockery.'" + +Angela put her hand over Connie's mouth. "Don't mind her, she's been +talking like this all evening," she said. "Did you get the packages that +were in the express-room?" + +"Packages, no, where are they?" Polly demanded. + +"Why, I saw them before dinner, there were three, just alike, and +addressed to you and Lo, and Bet." + +"Let's get them this minute," Betty said, starting for the door. "Come +on with us." + +They threaded their way through the crowd of dancing girls, and raced +for the express-room. + +"I bet it's a joke," Lois said as she reached for the electric switch. + +But when the light was turned on, sure enough there were three packages, +piled one on the other, on the table. + +"Open them quick," Connie commanded. "I am dying of curiosity." + +Off came the wrappers, and there was a shout of joy as three +heart-shaped boxes of candy appeared. + +"How wonderful!" + +"My favorite kind!" + +"What adorable boxes!" + +"They're painted on silk." + +"How sweet!" + +"Who could have sent them?" Lois asked. + +"Mr. Pendleton, perhaps," Betty suggested. + +"No, it's not Uncle Roddy's writing," Polly said; "besides, he sent me a +little gold heart, yesterday." + +"Open them, perhaps there's a card or something inside," Angela +suggested. This proved to be the case. + +Polly opened hers first, and the rest watched eagerly. + +"It just says: 'A friend of a very dear friend of yours,'" she read. +"Who can that be? Read yours, Lo." + +"Mine says: 'In remembrance of a charming evening.'" + +"Listen, I know," Betty exclaimed. "'From a devoted admirer, once mayor +of a certain city.' Don't you see, it's Mr. Whittington, that friend of +your uncle's, Polly." + +"Of course it is, and the very dear friend of mine is Uncle Roddy," +Polly exclaimed delightedly. + +"The charming evening must be the night we went to see 'Peter Pan,'" +Lois said. "Wasn't it nice of him to remember it." + +"But why does he say 'once mayor of a certain city'?" Connie inquired, +re-reading Betty's card. + +"Oh, that's because Bet nicknamed him Lord Mayor of London," Polly +explained. "His name is really Dick Whittington." + +They each selected a candy, and munched in happy silence. + +"Lois Farwell, Lois Farwell. Oh, Lois," a voice called suddenly from the +depths of the hall. "Where are you?" + +"Here, in the express-room," Lois answered; "What is it?" + +Dot Mead poked her head in the doorway. + +"You're wanted upstairs, right away, hurry!" + +"Why?" chorused everybody. + +"Oh, never mind," Dot said, mysteriously, "only hurry." + +They were no sooner in the Assembly Hall again before Mrs. Baird tapped +the little desk bell for silence. + +"Girls, the Seniors have decided to award the prize of the evening to +Jeanne D'Arc, impersonated by Lois Farwell. Lois, will you come here, +dear?" + +The girls made an opening through the center of the room. Lois, too +mystified for words, walked slowly up to the platform. Mrs. Baird +presented her with a tiny silver loving cup. "This gives me very great +pleasure, my dear," she said smiling, "because Jeanne D'Arc is one of my +favorite heroines, too." + +Lois tried to stammer her thanks. Just then Louise Preston stepped +forward with a wreath of laurel. "Here's the crown that goes with it, +Lo," she whispered. "Kneel down." + +Lois knelt on the lower step, and Louise placed the wreath on her head. + +"I crown you the most beautiful picture of the evening," she said. And +the girls broke out in heartiest applause. + +"I knew it, I knew it," Miss Porter whispered to Miss King. "She's +exquisite. See how her eyes sparkle when she blushes. She's exactly the +sensitive, delicate type, for a Jeanne D'Arc." + +"She is lovely," Miss King agreed, in her frank way. "But if I'd had the +awarding of the prize, Polly would have had it. She's a splendid girl, +she gave me a sweater, as well as a tam for Martha. I love that spirit." + +Lois went to bed, elated at her success, and the praise she had +received. She smiled delightedly at her reflection in the mirror. + +"I wonder," she mused, "if any one will ever tell Mother about this. I +would like her to know but, of course, I can't myself." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +PRACTICING FOR THE INDOOR MEET + + +The last bell had just sounded and the girls were leaving the schoolroom +for the day. Two weeks had passed since the Valentine party. Today was +Wednesday and the coming Saturday was the date fixed for the Indoor +Meet. + +The Whitehead School basket-ball team was to meet the Seddon Hall girls +for their annual game. The year before they had played at Whitehead and +were beaten. This year the game was to be played at Seddon Hall and the +girls were determined there should be no more defeats. + +"Wait a minute, you two," called Connie, as she and Angela caught up +with Polly and Lois in the schoolroom corridor. "I've news; such news!" + +"What is it?" inquired Lois, in the act of retying Polly's hair ribbon. + +"Don't breathe a word about it. I don't suppose Louise Preston wants it +known all over the school," answered Connie. "But as I was going through +Senior Corridor to my music lesson, I heard her say to Gladys Couch +(jumping center on the big team): 'Then you won't be here for Saturday?' +And Glid said: 'Isn't it awful, Louise, but I don't see how I can +possibly get back before Monday.' Well, of course, Polly, you know what +that means." + +"What's the giddy secret?" sang out Betty, coming towards them from one +of the classrooms. + +"Bet, oh, Bet, catch me quick!" cried Polly, falling into her arms in a +mock faint. "Such news! Tell her, some one, quick!" + +"Wah!" exclaimed Betty when she had heard. "You'll have to play on the +big team, Polly. Isn't that bully!" + +As they all stood talking it over, in subdued whispers, Louise Preston +appeared at the other end of the corridor. + +"Oh, Polly," she called, "can you spare me a few minutes? Let's go in +this classroom; then we won't be disturbed." + +She put her arm around Polly's shoulder as she had done the first day. +Once inside the classroom, she began: + +"We've had some pretty bad news this morning. Gladys Couch received a +telegram that her brother is going to be married on Saturday. Well, of +course, Glid will have to go home. She can't very well ask them to +postpone the wedding," she added, smiling, "and that leaves us without a +jumping center. Polly, you know we simply must win this game. You'll +have to play and you'll have to play as you never played before. Better +get some practicing in and, remember, I'm depending on you." + +She was gone before Polly could realize what had happened. She spent the +rest of the day in the gym with Lois and Betty as Louise had suggested. + +Misfortunes never come singly. The next day Flora Illington, the other +substitute center, had a phone message that her father was very ill and +she had to leave at once. Flora was just one of the girls at Seddon +Hall; apart from her position on the team, she had no particular place +in the school. + +However, it was with genuine sympathy and feeling that the girls saw her +leave and the week after heard of her father's death. + +Flora never returned to school and after the letters of condolence were +written and answered, she was forgotten. + +Polly met Louise in the gym that afternoon. + +"Isn't it dreadful about Flora?" she began. + +"Yes, I hope there's nothing serious the matter with her father," Louise +answered. Then with a sigh: "I suppose I'm a brute, but I can't help +thinking, there goes another substitute." + +"Cheer up," advised Polly, "she probably wouldn't have been needed. How +are the songs getting along?" + +"Wonderfully! Betty and Angela handed in two dandies today, but of +course I'm looking to the Juniors for most of them." + +"Well, so long." + +"Don't work too hard, and don't you dare hurt yourself." + +"I won't, and you cheer up." + +Louise left the gym and Polly jumped into the game, calmly taking the +ball out of Connie's astonished hands. + +She worked furiously all afternoon and when next she had a minute to +breathe she was back in her own room getting ready for her bath. + +"I tell you, Polly," sang out Betty from across the hall, "you certainly +played this afternoon." + +"Hum!" Polly grumbled, screwing her hair up into a tight knot. "I made a +nasty foul. Thank goodness Louise wasn't there." + +"Aren't you two slow pokes ready for your baths yet?" demanded Lois, +thumping on the door. + +"Well, I can't find my slippers," Polly complained, rummaging under the +bed. "Angela," she called, "darling Angela, please lend me your +slippers." + +"All right, here they come." And a pair of Chinese slippers flew through +the transom. + +"Thanks! Oh, I say, I asked for slippers, not stilts," Polly grumbled. +"How do you keep the crazy things on?" + +"Ingratitude, thy name is Polly," began Angela, but Polly was half way +down the hall and out of hearing, with Lois and Betty. Lois was saying: + +"How did you ever manage to make that foul?" And Polly explained, just +as they came to the head of the stairs. + +"Why, Connie had the ball and I jumped for it. She tried to pass it to +Dot and I thought I could get it by batting it back, like this--" + +She leaned forward to show what she meant, completely forgetting the +stairs. Angela's slippers gave a half twist and she plunged headlong +down the steps. + +Miss King said her ankle was badly sprained and the doctor was summoned. + +She lay on the infirmary bed, biting her lips and trying to keep back +the tears. The doctor had strapped her ankle and told Miss King that she +was not to put her foot to the ground for two weeks. + +At last Louise's voice sounded outside the door. + +"All right," she was saying. "I promise to stay only a second." And in a +minute she was at Polly's side. It was more than the poor child could +stand. She burst into tears and hid her face in the pillows. + +"Oh, Louise," she sobbed, "can you ever forgive me? And you told me to +be careful!" + +"Why, honey child, you couldn't help it," comforted Louise. "Here, cheer +up, you'll make yourself sick. Angela's downstairs tearing her hair out +and swearing vengeance on her poor slippers." + +"But the game! Who'll play in my place?" wailed Polly. + +"That is just what I came up to talk to you about," Louise told her. +"Can you suggest any one? We're stumped." + +"Wouldn't Betty do? I know she'd be careful about fouls. Please give her +a chance." + +"I think perhaps you're right. I'll go and talk to her," Louise replied. +"Be good, dear, and don't worry. I know it's a terrible disappointment." +And she leaned over and kissed Polly's hot cheek. + +"All right, I'll try. If you see Lois will you ask her to come up and +talk to me? I'll go crazy if I have to stay here alone." + +But it was not until some hours later that Lois appeared. Miss King +thought solitude the best thing for Polly's feverish condition. + +"You are a nice one," grumbled Polly when Lois entered the room. "I +thought you were never coming near me again." + +"Come near you! Why, I've been sitting outside Miss King's door all +afternoon, waiting for permission to see you. Poor darling! How's the +ankle? Awfully painful?" explained Lois. + +"Do you mean to tell me Miss King wouldn't let you in before now?" +demanded Polly. + +"Yes; she said you were very feverish and she wanted you to rest; and +for goodness' sake don't excite yourself or I'll have to leave; you must +be kept quiet." + +"And here I've been thinking you a cold-hearted wretch all afternoon. +Just wait till I see Miss King!" + +"What are you going to do to her?" asked that lady herself, poking her +white-capped head around the corner of the door. + +"Oh, there you are, eh?" laughed Polly. "Why wouldn't you let Lois come +in before?" + +"Because I'm a cross old thing," laughed Miss King. "But just to show +you that I can be nice sometimes, if you have no more fever I'll let her +stay and have supper with you. Now what am I?" + +"You're a darling and I'll love you forever, but don't you dare find I +have a fever," replied Polly. + +Miss King did find her temperature a little above normal, but so little +that Lois was permitted to stay, and the two of them had such a jolly +time that Polly almost succeeded in forgetting the coming game and her +own disappointment, and you may be sure Lois carefully kept off that +dangerous subject. The time passed so quickly that the bell for study +hour rang long before they expected it, and Lois had to fly to escape +being late. + +"Lo, half a minute," Betty called just before the good-night bell. "I've +something to tell you. I am chosen to fill Polly's place tomorrow. +Louise just told me." + +"I'm awfully glad for you, Bet," answered Lois. "I know you'll make +good, but--" + +"Yes, it's that but that makes me so miserable," replied Betty. "How can +I be excited and pleased when I know Polly's up there in the +infirmary--Oh, it makes me sick to think of it!" she finished, and before +Lois could reply, she had disappeared into her own room and closed the +door. + +"Poor Betty," sighed Lois sympathetically. "It's all a mean shame." + +Just before Miss King turned out the infirmary lights, she delivered a +note to Polly. It read: + + "Polly Dear: + + "Louise has asked me to play in your place on Saturday. I know you + suggested it to her, too. Well, my chance has come and I am miserably + unhappy at the very thought. I know I'll make a million fouls and + we'll lose the game. Darn every bedroom slipper that was ever + invented! + + "Your doleful, + "Betty." + +"Poor old Bet," smiled Polly. "Well, if she only makes good I won't be +half so unhappy at not playing myself." + +In less than five minutes she was sound asleep, and the next morning +Miss King pronounced her temperature normal. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +POLLY'S HEROISM + + +"Miss King, don't you think I might be carried to the game tonight?" +pleaded Polly early Saturday morning as the nurse was bathing her face +and hands. + +"We'll see; perhaps we can arrange it if you have no fever," answered +Miss King, and Polly had to be content. + +After study hour Lois and Betty flew up to the infirmary. + +"Everything's going beautifully," announced Lois excitedly, "and we +brought you up the green and white ribbons; here, let me tie them on +your arm." + +"How's the ankle? Do you think you can get over to the game?" asked +Betty eagerly. + +"If I have no fever, Miss King says she'll see. I hate people to say +they will see; Aunt Hannah always did, and it always meant 'no,'" pouted +Polly. "When does the other team arrive?" + +"The train's due at 12:03, luncheon at 12:30, and the game's called for +2 o'clock," Lois told her. + +Just then Angela and Connie appeared in the doorway. + +"May we come in? How's the invalid?" Connie asked. + +"Oh, hello. Of course come in. I'm awfully glad to see you. I am feeling +very fine this morning," responded Polly. + +Angela was looking dolefully at the big lump the bandaged foot made +under the covers, and her eyes were misty. + +"Polly," she began, "can you ever forgive--" + +"Angela, you're going to say something about those slippers, and if you +do--" Polly interrupted threateningly. + +"All right, I won't, but I'll think of it for the rest of my life." + +After a few minutes of excited conversation the girls left--Lois and +Betty for the gym and Angela and Connie for the schoolroom to practice +songs with the rest. + +Polly, left alone, retied and patted the green and white ribbon Lois had +given her; then she tossed and turned and fretted until the doctor +arrived an hour later. He declared the ankle greatly improved, but he +did not like the patient's nervous condition, and to Polly's plea to be +carried to the gym, he gave a decided "No." + +Miss King was all sympathy, and offered to read aloud, tell stories, or, +in fact, do anything to amuse her heartbroken little patient, but Polly +refused to be comforted. + +After luncheon Lois and Betty arrived for a last word; they were in +their gym suits and Betty's hands were ice cold. Polly tried to be +encouraging and cheerful. + +"Do be careful of those lines, Bet," she advised, "and don't run with +the ball." + +"Run with the ball! I probably won't have a chance to even get my hands +on it let alone run with it. Oh, I tell you, I'm in a sweet funk!" +groaned Betty. + +"Will you stop talking like that, Betty Thompson," commanded Lois. "You +ought to be ashamed of yourself. Why, if you can't play against that +insignificant Whitehead center, all my little faith in man is gone." + +"Do tell me something about the other team," Polly begged. "I heard you +giving them the cheer as they arrived. Do they look very dreadful?" + +"No, I think we are pretty evenly matched. Their guards are tall--but +there goes the bell; we'll have to fly. Polly, darling, I'll come and +tell you all about it the second the game's over," promised Lois, as she +and Betty ran down to the schoolroom to join the team. + +As Polly lay listening she heard the girls tramping over to the gym. The +sound came faintly at first, then louder, and finally halted underneath +the infirmary window: + + "Oh, there is a girl who's known in these parts. + Her name is Polly Pendleton, and she's won our hearts! + Oh, we'd like to know a girl with more go, + And we will stand by her to the end--O!" + +sang fifty voices, and then the tramping started once more and grew +fainter as the girls neared the gym. + +Poor Polly buried her head in the pillow and sobbed: + +"To think of my having a chance to play in the big game and then not +being able to! Why, I can't even watch it!" she cried. "Why didn't I see +those hateful steps?" + +Miss King came in and asked if there was anything she could do. + +"I am quite at your service," she assured her. + +"Do you really mean that?" answered Polly. "Then go over to the gym and +watch the game for a little while and come back and tell me how it's +going, and if we have a chance. I promise to be good," she added. + +Miss King thought it over and decided to go. It would please her unhappy +patient, and besides she loved to see a good game herself. + +"I won't stay very long," she said. "If you want anything you can reach +the bell that rings in the other house." + +"Don't come back unless we are winning," called Polly as she watched the +white nurse's cap disappear down the long flight of steps that led from +the infirmary to the ground. They had been built so that if there were +any contagious cases in the infirmary, the girls could reach the grounds +without going into any other part of the buildings. + +Then, tired from the excitement of the day, she sank back in the pillows +to rest until Miss King's return. She dozed off to sleep for about +fifteen minutes, and when she next opened her eyes she was conscious of +the smell of smoke. + +She raised herself on her elbow and looked out of the dormer window +beside her bed. From there she could see the Bridge of Sighs which, as +you know, connected the two buildings of the school. A thin spiral of +smoke was pouring out from the top of the middle window. + +Her first thought was the bell. She rang it violently, but with no +success, for the maids were in the laundry gossiping over a cup of tea, +and the bell clanged to an empty kitchen. + +Something had to be done and Polly realized that that something rested +with her. As quickly as her ankle would permit--it was, of course, +paining her terribly--she got into such of her clothes as she could find +in the infirmary, threw Miss King's cape around her, and thrust her +stockinged feet once again into Angela's Chinese slippers. + +"Now," she thought, as she limped painfully down the steps, "the thing +to do is to get one of the teachers' attention without letting the girls +know anything is wrong." + +The fifty feet to the gym seemed as many miles to Polly. At first the +excitement of her errand kept her up, but as she neared the gym the +burning pain in her ankle forced her to stop every few feet to rest. + +When at last she stumbled up the steps of the gym, she was met at the +door by Mrs. Baird and Miss King, who were just leaving. + +"Polly, what is it?" gasped both women, hurrying to her side. + +"The Bridge of Sighs is on fire--no one answered the bell--I had to +come--don't tell the girls!" And Polly, her message delivered, fainted +dead away in Miss King's arms and was carried back unconscious to the +infirmary. + +The fire was soon under control. Mrs. Baird called the stablemen, and +together with the fire extinguishers it was over almost at once. It had +started by two wires crossing and, fortunately, on the bridge. It might +easily have spread to both buildings had it not been for Polly's timely +warning. So quietly and quickly had it happened that the girls in the +gym knew nothing of it. + +When Polly next opened her eyes, Mrs. Baird and Miss King were standing +on either side of her bed. + +"Is it out?" she asked, turning to Mrs. Baird. + +"Yes, dear, it is; thanks to you and your splendid courage," Mrs. Baird +replied, taking her hand in hers and patting it. + +"And the game?" demanded Polly, now thoroughly conscious. "Is it over?" + +A prolonged shout from the gym answered her question. + +"It must be just over," explained Miss King, "and that shout sounds as +if we had won. How is the ankle, dear? Very painful?" + +"Yes, it is kind of sore," Polly admitted, "but I want to know the +score," she insisted. + +Mrs. Baird gave her hand a tight squeeze and smiled down at her as she +answered: + +"I'll go this minute and find out; they are probably waiting for me to +present the cup. I will send you the score at once," she promised as she +left the room. + +Seddon Hall had made a hard fight and when the time was up the score on +the board was 10 to 8 in their favor. Betty had surprised everybody by +her good work. She had not given the other center a chance at the ball +and she had made only one foul. Perhaps the thought of Polly waiting +anxiously in the infirmary for news of the game had spurred her on. +Before the game started she had said to Lois: + +"I may be in a blue funk, but won this game shall be, if I have anything +to say about it. Polly shan't be disappointed." + +And Betty had kept her word. She had managed the passes so well that +Louise, who at the beginning of the game had been in a fever of +apprehension, had almost wept with joy. + +As Mrs. Baird entered they were cheering the losing team. With a few +well-chosen words of congratulations, she presented the cup to Louise +Preston, and finished with a brief account of the fire and the part +Polly had played in it. + +Useless to try to describe the girls' enthusiasm; they cheered and +cheered. Mrs. Baird dispatched Lois and Betty to tell Polly the score, +and the rest of the girls stood under the infirmary window and sang to +her until their throats were hoarse. + +Betty and Lois, still in their gym suits, sat on the end of her bed and +told her all about the game. + +"Betty, darling, if you were not so hot and dirty I think I could eat +you," Polly exclaimed. "Think of your making only one little foul. Oh, +but I'm proud of you!" + +"Well, you see, you told Louise to put me on the team in your place," +Betty explained, "and I had to make good." + +Polly turned to Lois: + +"I am awfully sorry you didn't get a chance to play," she said. + +"I'm kind of glad," Lois replied. "Now, perhaps, we will both play on +Field Day." + +"Here, here, what are you daring to suggest?" demanded Louise Preston +from the doorway. She was followed by the rest of the team. They had +waited to see the Whitehead girls off and then changed from their gym +suits before coming to see the heroine of the day. + +"Oh, I was only hoping a couple of you big team girls would give us subs +a chance on Field Day. You are dreadfully selfish, you know," Lois +replied. + +Polly smiled happily at her captain. + +"Well, you did win the game without me, Louise, didn't you?" she asked. + +"How do you make that out?" Florence Guile demanded. "I think you had a +pretty big hand in it. If you hadn't been so plucky and kept so still +about the fire, we'd have all been frightened to death and the game +never would have been even finished." + +"Florence is right," agreed everybody. "Three long cheers for plucky +Polly!" + +"To the victor belongs the spoils," laughed Louise. When the girls had +stopped cheering: "Here's the cup. I brought it up to show you, and you +may keep it as long as you like." + +Polly took it reverently in her hands and looked at it for a long time. +Finally she said: + +"What a funny day it's been. Please don't any one talk any more about +the fire. I'm sick of it, and besides it was the game that counted." +Then as she caught sight of Angela among the crowd of girls at the door +she said: + +"Come here, Angela. I have something to tell you, you must apologize to +your slippers; they have atoned for their crime; they carried me safely +all the way to the gym." + +Miss King appeared at the door as the girls were laughing at Polly's +remark. + +"Is this a reception by any chance?" she inquired. "I'm sorry to +interrupt, but you'll all have to leave. Polly's supper is on its way +from the kitchen and I'm sure she doesn't want an audience while she is +eating it." + +The girls left after more congratulations and promises to come back the +first thing next day, and Polly was left alone to gaze happily at the +big silver loving cup which, in a measure, she had helped win for Seddon +Hall. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +BETTY'S IDEA + + +The long days in the infirmary dragged by and lengthened into weeks. One +so closely resembled the other that Polly lost track of all time. Uncle +Roddy sent boxes containing everything that his generous mind could +think of, to amuse the invalid, and the girls did their best to make the +days fly. + +At last the time came when, with the aid of a crutch and Miss King, +Polly managed to hobble down the steps and out into the sunshine. It was +only a matter of a couple of weeks after that, that she discarded the +crutch, and on a never-to-be-forgotten day made her appearance, a little +worn and shaky still, at the beginning of the Literature class. No one +expected her, and her welcome was all that she could have dreamed of. + +In the meantime the snow had melted, to be replaced by slush and, as +March ended, by mud. Polly slipped back easily into her accustomed +place. Easter vacation, spent at Atlantic City with Uncle Roddy, came +and went, so that when this chapter opens, spring was fully established +and Seddon Hall was a mass of dogwood and violets. + +Today was the day of the Faculty tea, to be given by the Seniors, and +Polly, Lois, and Betty were helping them make the sandwiches and fruit +punch. + +"Wah, but I'm hot and tired!" sighed Lois, holding a thin slice of bread +in one hand and a knife smeared with mayonnaise dressing in the other. + +"You're lazy, you mean," replied Betty. "Try squeezing a few of these +lemons if you want a sample of real work; they're as hard as rocks." + +Polly looked up, flushed from her task. + +"I've an idea," she exclaimed. "Look! Put the lemon on the floor and +roll it gently with your toe. See how soft it gets!" she continued as +she cut the rolled lemon in half and squeezed out the juice. + +"Bright idea!" congratulated Betty. "Why didn't you think of it before?" +And putting a lemon on the floor, she started rolling it vigorously. + +"Lo, if you could see how funny you look," she added. "You've a daub of +dressing on the end of your nose." + +"Oh, would some power the giftie gie us, to see ourselves as others see +us," quoted Lois. "Who said that?" she inquired. + +(Please remember Betty was still rolling the lemon). + +One of the Sophomores, busy at the other end of the table, caught the +remark and, to tease Betty who was renowned for her knowledge of +quotations, called: + +"Sir Thomas Moore, didn't he?" + +"Moore!" yelled Betty. "Certainly not! Robert Burns wrote it. Such +ignorance! I am surprised!" + +Some one else exclaimed: "Why, Betty, you are crazy. Burns never said +anything as clever as that." + +Poor Betty was all up in arms. Like most people that love to tease, she +was not always conscious when she was being teased herself. + +"He didn't, didn't he?" she demanded. "Well, I'll _prove_ to you that he +did." + +At the word prove, delivered in her most emphatic manner, she put so +much extra pressure on the poor long-suffering lemon that it gave a +prolonged squashy noise and oozed out all over the floor. + +"Oh, Bet, what a mess!" exclaimed Polly. "Look at the floor!" + +Betty looked and grumbled disgustedly: + +"That ends it. I'll squeeze no more lemons. It's all your fault, anyhow, +Polly, for telling me to step on them." + +"Excuse me, dear," said Polly meekly, "I meant with moderation." + +As the girls stood laughing around the remains of the lemon, Louise +Preston entered the room. + +"I can't get any one to pick violets for me. We've only one bowlful and +we need loads." Then as she saw the floor she asked: "Who's been +throwing lemons?" + +"Oh, Bet got mad because I put a quotation in Moore's mouth that +belonged to Burns, her beloved," laughed Mary Right. + +"Well, suppose you three girls go and get us some more flowers," +suggested Louise. "You don't look as if you were enjoying this very much +and, besides, we can't waste lemons." + +"We will go with pleasure," chorused the three. + +"Thanks ever so much," said Louise, and she added as they were leaving +the room: "Please don't do any arguing while you're about it, or Bet may +step on the violets." + +Ten minutes later the three were making their way to a brook whose banks +they knew would be covered with long-stemmed dogtooth violets. + +"Ungrateful wretches, these Seniors," grunted Betty, seating herself on +a rock and stretching. "Work your fingers to the bone and never even get +asked to come in the back door to their party." + +"Seems to me," mused Polly, "that all the other classes do the +entertaining and the Freshmen do all the work." + +They were still for a few minutes and sat lazily on the moss watching +the water gurgle over the stones at the bottom of the brook. Finally +Betty exclaimed: + +"I have it, the best idea! Listen! Why don't we give a farewell party to +the Seniors?" + +"It's never been done," replied Lois. + +"What of that? There's got to be a first time to everything, and it +would be such a lark." + +"But what kind of a party?" + +"A moonlight straw-ride and supper at Flat Rock," suggested Polly. "Mrs. +Baird would let us, I know, she's such a dear." + +"How about the other girls?" inquired Lois. "Angela and Connie would +love it, of course, but the rest--" + +"The rest don't count," cut in Betty. "We have the majority and, +besides, they always do what we suggest." + +"Let's call a class meeting tonight," said Polly. "And now, if we don't +start to gather some violets, the Seniors won't accept our invitation if +we do ask them to a party." + +For an hour they picked flowers and discussed the plans. + +"None of your garden parties with ice-cream and cake for me; there's +never any fun in that," remarked Betty, dipping a handful of withered +violets into the brook. + +"Besides, that is what the 'sofs' have planned to do. Mary Rice told me +about it, confidentially," added Lois. + +"Therefore you immediately tell us," laughed Betty. "Well, they need not +be afraid of our copying them. Polly's plan's the best, if we can only +do it." + +"Listen!" commanded Polly. "Wasn't that some one calling up there?" + +"Hello!" called a voice directly above them. + +The girls looked and there, standing on a rock, were Connie and Angela, +with their arms full of dogwood. + +"Come on down," sang out Betty. "You're just the ones we want; we've a +wonderful idea." + +"Great! Bully!" exclaimed Angela and Connie when they had heard the +plan. "Why didn't any one ever think of it before?" + +"We can take bacon in jars, and rolls, and broil the bacon over a +regular camp fire," suggested Connie. + +"And I'll make up a new song just to the Seniors. None of the other +classes have ever done that," announced Angela. + +"If we don't hurry back the Seniors will think we're lost," reminded +Polly. Then with a sigh she added: "I do hope the rest of the class will +like the idea." + +They did. A class meeting was called and everybody voted it a dandy +plan. The two Dorothys said their only objection would be in case the +Spartan were chosen for chaperone. The rest laughed at the very thought +and Polly promised to annihilate the first one to make such a horrible +suggestion. + +Lois was chosen to ask Mrs. Baird, and returned from the office with her +full permission. + +The day was set for the following Friday night, and Angela was told to +write a song. + +In the corridor that evening as the girls were talking over the plans +for the party, one of the maids appeared with a covered tray. + +"From the Seniors," she explained, handing it to Lois. "For Miss Polly, +Miss Betty, Miss Angela, Miss Connie, and you." + +"Food!" exclaimed Betty. "Why, the Seniors aren't such ungrateful +wretches as I thought them." + +"Indeed they are not; they've the best class in the school," protested +Lois. + +"With one exception," Polly corrected, "the Freshmen." + +And after a subdued cheer they started in to make short work of the +tray's contents. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE FRESHMEN ENTERTAIN + + +Friday arrived, clear and sunshiny, with just enough chill in the air to +make sweaters comfortable. + +The Freshmen class were so excited that they found it impossible to pay +any attention in classes. The teachers, for the most part, understood +and forgave, except the Spartan, who was, of course, more trying than +usual. + +After the last bell the Freshmen met in one of the classrooms to decide +about the last details. Although they had no class officers, it was +almost always Lois who acted as president at all their meetings. Such +was the case today. + +"Everybody stop talking for one second," she commanded, swinging herself +to the top of the desk. "The first thing to think about is food," she +continued, as the girls dropped into chairs, and there was a lull in the +conversation. + +Betty jumped up, announcing emphatically: + +"You may count me out on that; no more squashed lemons for little +Betty." + +"There's not much to get ready," Polly remarked. "There's the rolls and +bacon--they're ordered--and the ginger pop, the potato chips, and the +apples and bananas are here. There's really nothing to make but the +Boston brown bread sandwiches. Who'll make them?" And she looked +questioningly at the two Dorothys. + +"We will," volunteered one of them. "What goes in between--cream cheese +and grape jelly?" + +"Yes," answered Betty, "and for goodness' sake, Dot, don't get original +and put anything else in on your own hook." + +"Betty, do be serious for once," pleaded Lois. "There's loads to be +done. Have you finished the song, Angela?" + +"Yes, and I say we wait until we've finished supper and are all sitting +around the fire before we sing it to them," suggested Angela. + +Everybody agreed that that was a good idea. + +"It's to the tune of 'There is a Tavern Near the Town,' isn't it?" asked +Roberta Andrews. "I haven't learned the words yet." + +"Oh," Lois interrupted, jumping down from the desk, "we forgot all about +the straw for the wagon. Berta, will you and Ruth see to that? MacDonald +said we could have as much as we wanted if we'd go to the stable and get +it." + +"All right, that will be a lark," agreed Berta. "Come on, Ruth, we'd +better get right at it now." And the two girls, after parting +instructions from Lois, left for the stable. + +"If we are going to make those sandwiches," began Dot Mead, "we'd better +go, too." + +"Righto!" agreed her twin in name, and together they started for the +kitchen. + +"And now what are you going to do with me, Ruler of the Universe?" +inquired Connie. + +Lois looked at her for a minute and then replied: + +"I think you and Angela might go out and cut sticks to broil the bacon +on." + +"Cut their fingers off, you mean. Certainly not," exploded Betty. "They +may find the sticks, but I will do the whittling." + +And taking Connie and Angela each by an arm, Betty escorted them out of +the room. + +When Lois and Polly were left alone, they hugged each other joyously. + +"And now for the express-room," Polly whispered mysteriously. + +At five o'clock the big farm wagon, filled with hay and drawn by two big +gray horses, was waiting in the driveway under the Bridge of Sighs. + +"Everything in?" shouted Angela. "Steamer rugs and food?" + +"Yes, all in," answered Betty, who was patting the horses' noses. + +Polly and Lois were standing just around the corner of the house and out +of sight of the other girls. + +"Now's the time to get it in," whispered the latter. She used the same +mysterious tone of voice in which Polly had spoken of the express-room +earlier in the day. + +A few minutes later, under the hurry and excitement of starting, they +smuggled a large box, unnoticed, under the driver's seat. + +"Safe and sound, and nobody saw," Lois whispered softly. "Every one in?" +she called out. "All aboard." + +The Seniors were each seated beside a Freshman, Louise Preston was +between Lois and Polly. Miss Stuart and Miss Porter, who were +chaperoning the party, sat beside the driver, where all good chaperons +ought to sit. + +As the barge rolled out of the school grounds, the girls sang the +favorite Seddon Hall song, which ended in the words: + +"It's the only school in the wide, wide world." + +At first, things were a little dull. There was a big distance between +the oldest and youngest classes of the upper school, but after a while +the Seniors forgot their dignity and the Freshmen their respect. + +When Flat Rock, a huge boulder with a table top, overlooking a small +lake, was reached, everybody was in the best of spirits, and they piled +out and helped unload. + +Polly and Lois, as before, captured the mysterious box and managed to +hide it in the bushes. A camp fire, under Miss Stuart's direction, was +soon blazing, and the girls were seated on rugs and pillows, toasting +bacon. + +Now every one knows that a bacon bat is loads of fun to talk about +before it happens, and to remember afterwards, but the actual eating of +the bacon, which is always burned long before it is cooked, is not so +much fun in itself. + +This bacon bat was like every other. When the bacon was all gone, and a +good deal of it had been surreptitiously thrown away, every one looked +around for something to really eat. The sandwiches were not very +satisfying, and it was too soon to offer the bananas. + +The Freshmen began to look uneasy. It entered their heads that perhaps +their party was not going to be the success they had planned. Then just +as Polly and Lois were exchanging glances, Betty, who was hunting for +more wood for the fire, stumbled over the mysterious box. + +"Hello, what's this?" she called. "Why, it says Freshman Class on it." + +Every one pounced on the box and opened it, to find a big fat turkey all +carved but held together by a narrow white ribbon, paper plates and +napkins and drinking cups, cranberry jelly, a huge chocolate cake, any +quantity of cookies, and boxes of candy. + +Well, you can imagine the surprise. As each new item was unpacked, there +was a chorus of exclamations, such as: + +"Where under the sun did it come from?" + +"Do look at the immense turkey!" + +"Somebody knew I loved home-made cookies!" + +"Please, all, leave me alone with this chocolate cake!" + +No one knew where it came from except Betty, who caught on at once, and +Polly and Lois made her keep still. It was a royal spread, which means +everybody ate more than was good for them. + +When it was finally over and they were all sitting comfortably around +the fire, the Freshmen started singing Angela's song: + + "There is a flat rock near the school, near the school, + Where we abandon every rule, every rule, + And mingle with the Seniors fair + And never, never think of care! + + You're the oldest class of all the year, all the year, + And we're the very youngest here, youngest here, + Three years will pass and we'll be Seniors, too, + And we're going to try to be like you! + + Fare thee well, for we must leave you, + Do not let this parting grieve you, + But remember that the best of friends must part, + Adieu, dear Seniors fair, adieu, adieu, adieu, + We can no longer stay with you, stay with you, + Three rousing cheers for the class of '15, + They are the best we've ever seen!" + +(Angela never was satisfied with the last line.) Louise Preston was +sitting with Lois and Polly on either side of her, and as the song +ended, she put her arm around each of them. + +"This has been the very best party of the whole year," she said, "and I +think I know something about the way the wonderful box came to be here." + +Polly and Lois tried to appear very innocent, but it was of no use. +Finally Polly said: + +"Well, perhaps you do, but please don't tell any one what you know." + +"All right, I promise," Louise said, "but I will tell _you_ two this +much--you're quite the sweetest children in the school, and I can't tell +you how much I and the rest of the Seniors appreciate all the things you +have done for us this year." + +"I'll tell you how you can--" laughed Lois "--by letting us help some +more." + +It was now the Seniors' turn to cheer, and they did it most heartily, +calling each Freshman's name in turn. Then Betty, who was very full of +turkey and bananas, got up to make a speech. + +"'Friends, Romans and Countrymen,'" she began, "lend me your ears." Then +mimicking the chaplain, she continued: "My dear young friends, tonight +has been one of the pleasures never to be forgotten. The bacon was +perhaps not all that it might have been, but surely we can afford to +overlook that in the face of this blessed turkey." + +"Somebody throw something at Betty; she's off," Angela called. + +"Come and help reload," suggested Connie. + +With a few muttered remarks about an unappreciative audience, Betty +brought her speech to a laughing close and turned to, with a will, to +replace the rugs and pillows. In a short time everything was in, and the +wagon started for home. + +It was a glorious ride. The Freshmen repeated their song and cheered and +cheered the Seniors, and the Seniors returned the compliment. + +When there was a lull in the singing, as they passed through the +village, Betty, almost asleep in the hay, grunted: + +"You may all thank me for this party; it never would have happened if I +hadn't squashed that bally lemon." + +The wagon drew up under the Bridge of Sighs, just as the big school +clock tolled ten o'clock. The girls parted with many thanks on both +sides, and they were all conscious that they would remember this as the +jolliest evening of the year. + +As Polly and Lois said good night in the latter's room, Lois said: + +"Well, it was a success, and no one but Bet and Louise guessed about the +box." + +"Wasn't it!" agreed Polly. "I'm awfully glad we thought of it; we'd have +starved if we hadn't. I think the Seniors enjoyed it, too. Isn't Louise +a darling? Do you know, Lo, if I wasn't so strongly opposed to +'crushes,' I might get an awful one on Louise." + +"Could you?" smiled Lois in reply. "I'll tell you a secret--I've had +quite a desperate one on her myself for two years." + +Later, as Polly slipped into bed, she said aloud to the pictures on the +wall: + +"What a wonderful box it was." And closing her eyes she murmured +sleepily: "Bless Uncle Roddy's heart." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +VISITORS + + +Lois bounded up the stairs, two steps at a time, waving a yellow +telegram in the air and shrieking: "Polly!" at the top of her lungs. Not +finding her friend in the corridor, she started for the gym, and +discovered her there vigorously bouncing the basket-ball. + +"Polly, come here quick," she cried; "I've just had a wire from Dad +saying he, mother and Bob are coming up here this afternoon." + +Polly tucked the ball under one arm and put the other on Lois' shoulder. + +"Are they really?" she asked delightedly. "What time?" + +"The wire doesn't tell, just says, this afternoon. They may be here any +minute." Then rubbing her cheek against Polly's she added, coaxingly: + +"You'll help me entertain them won't you, Poll, and stay with us all the +time they're here? Promise." + +Polly made a wild attempt to throw the ball in the basket, half way +across the room as she answered: + +"Of course I will, what do you want me to do?" + +"Hurry and get out of your suit first," said Lois. "I'm going to ask +Mrs. Baird about the trains." + +Polly hurried to her room to change, and was just tying her sailor tie, +when Lois knocked at the door. + +"They can't get here until three thirty," she announced. "So there's +loads of time." + +Polly had almost completed her dressing. + +"What are you going to do with them?" she asked, giving a vigorous, last +brush to her wavy hair and straightening her bows. + +"They've seen the grounds, haven't they?" + +"Bob never has," Lois answered. Then, after a minute of thoughtful +silence: + +"Polly, what are we going to do with them? Mother and Father are all +right but Bob's sure to do something awful, he's such a tease." + +"Oh, don't worry about him," laughed Polly; "if the worst comes to the +worst, you can take him out of bounds." + +In spite of this suggestion, Lois' brows remained puckered and her +expression worried. She was not thinking so much about how to amuse Bob. +She was wondering how, now that these two were at last to meet, they +would like each other. Suppose they didn't like each other at all! +Dreadful thought; Polly might think Bob too grown up and quiet, and Bob +might think her "a silly girl." Lois looked forlorn when she +contemplated such an outcome to this meeting. + +She still wore a puzzled expression as she waited on the steps a little +later, watching for the first sign of the Station Carriage. At three +o'clock it came in sight around the first bend of the road. When it +reached the porte-cochère, her father was the first to get out and he +almost smothered Lois in his big hug. + +Big, was the word that described Dr. Farwell, everything about him was +big. His broad shoulders, his well shaped hands, his kindly deep set +blue eyes, even his voice, which appeared to come from his boots as he +asked: + +"How is this little daughter of mine?" + +"Oh, Daddie, dear, I'm so glad to see you. I'm perfectly fine," Lois +answered excitedly and then turned to greet her mother. + +"Darling Lois," Mrs. Farwell whispered, kissing her, and: + +"Sweetheart mother," Lois whispered back. That was all. Mother and +daughter understood each other so well, that there was no need for +words. + +"Well, don't I get even a how d'ye do?" demanded a laughing voice. And a +big hand fell on Lois' shoulder. + +"Why, Bobbie--but of course you do, I'm so glad to see you, I could eat +you up," she cried. + +"Eat this instead, won't you?" said Bob, producing a big white +cardboard box. "It's a chocolate cake--it won't be quite so tough. Heppy +made it for you, and she said she 'sho' did hope her baby chile would +like it.'" + +"Bless Heppy's heart, she's a darling, give me the box, you're sure to +drop it." + +"I like that, after I've carried it all the way here. I've a good mind +to feed it to the horse," Bob threatened. + +"Hadn't you better take us to the reception-room, dear?" Mrs. Farwell +reminded. "We want to say how do you do to Mrs. Baird." + +Lois led, dancing every step of the way. At the door of the room she +pointed to a cozy group of chairs in the corner. "You wait here," she +said, "and I'll go tell her; she's always in her office at this time." + +"Thank you, dear, and oh, can't we meet Polly?" asked her mother and Dr. +Farwell added: + +"Yes, of course we must meet Roddy's niece." + +Lois called back, "I'll get her first, I have Mrs. Baird's permission." +And disappeared down the corridor. On reaching Freshman Lane she knocked +at Polly's door. + +"Polly, they're here, hurry up." + +"Wait a minute, I'm changing my shoes," Polly answered. + +But she did not add, for the fourth time: + +"Whatever for?" + +"Oh, my others needed a shine." + +"Well, hurry up, do. When you're ready come down to the reception hall. +I'll meet you." + +And Lois was off again, but instead of returning to her family, she +suddenly remembered Mrs. Baird, and went off in search of her. + +When Polly reached the reception-room, after deciding the weighty +question of shoes, she found Bobbie, all six feet of him, blocking the +doorway. + +He was standing with his hands behind him, his head thrown back, and his +eyes fixed intently on a colored print of Venice that hung to the right +of the door. + +Dr. Farwell was hidden by the piano. Farther back in the room Mrs. +Farwell was looking out of the window and smiling. She had thrown back +her dark brown feather boa, that so nearly matched her eyes, and Polly +could see a waterfall of soft cream lace at her neck; her hands were in +her lap, and she tapped the floor with one ridiculously tiny foot. + +As Polly slowly approached the door she thought, wistfully, "What a +darling to have for a mother," and then, "how under the sun will I ever +get past Bob. Well, I'm here now and I can't run." And taking her +courage in both hands, she walked the rest of the way to the door, and +after a nervous little cough, said: + +"I beg your pardon." + +Bob, startled from his reverie, turned, and seeing her, jumped to one +side. + +"Oh, I'm sorry! excuse me, I--" In his confusion he backed into the piano +stool and sat down suddenly without meaning to. + +At the sound, Doctor and Mrs. Farwell both looked up, and the Doctor +said: + +"Why, Bob, what--?" and then laughed. + +Mrs. Farwell took in the situation at a glance, and went over to Polly, +who was blushing violently, with outstretched hand. + +"I'm sure you must be Polly," she said. "Lois has written me so much +about you, that I know I can't be mistaken." + +"How do you do, Mrs. Farwell?" Polly answered shyly. "I am Polly. Lois +said to come down, that she'd be here." + +"She's looking for Mrs. Baird," Mrs. Farwell explained. + +"Do let me present my husband to you." + +"So this is Polly?" said the Doctor. "I am delighted to see you, my +dear. I used to know Roddy well. You and he were so good to Lois +Christmas vacation that I don't know how to thank you enough." + +"And this is my son, Bob," Mrs. Farwell continued, without giving Polly +a chance to reply. + +Bob held out a big hand, + +"How do you do Miss Pendleton?" + +"How do you do, Mr. Farwell?" + +They said together, and then both fell into a confused silence. + +Fortunately, Lois entered at that moment. + +"Oh, there you are, Polly," she said. "Mrs. Baird will be here right +away, mother. You and Dad stay here and talk to her, and Polly and I +will take Bob for a walk, and show him the grounds." + +The two girls ran up stairs for their sweaters, and in a jiffy they were +leading Bob towards the gym. + +At first, Lois did most of the talking, for Polly and Bob were very +quiet. + +The one was thinking: "If Lo had been there I would not have been so +embarrassed." + +And the other: "Of all the brilliant ways of meeting a girl, falling +over a chair is the best! I am the Clumsiest, etc., etc." + +But as they entered the gym Polly forgot her shyness, and as she rattled +on about basket-ball and the coming Field Day, Bob was able to console +his injured pride with the thought that after all, she was only one of +his kid sister's friends. + +In the course of their walk, which led them past all the landmarks in +the grounds, they talked to each other with the ease of old friends, and +Bob had started to tease. + +"Lois says you play basket-ball wonderfully," he said to Polly, as they +tramped through the woods on their way to the old fort. + +"I don't play half as well as she does," she answered. "Besides, she +knows nothing about it; I've never played in a big game. Perhaps if I +did, I'd lose my nerve." + +"You almost played once," Lois reminded her. + +"What happened?" + +"I sprained my ankle instead." + +"Oh, was that the time you were so plucky about giving the fire alarm? +That was great; Lo wrote me about it." + +"What else could I have done? I couldn't very well let the place burn +down, could I?" Polly asked, smiling a little self-consciously. + +"I suppose not," Bob said aloud. Adding to himself, "For a girl as young +as she is, she's remarkably sensible." + +They walked on in silence, taking long swinging strides. + +The thump, thump of their footsteps echoed and reëchoed in the silent +woods. They reached the top of Fort Hill and stopped for a minute to +get their breath. The wind blew the girls' hair about their flushed +faces and sent eddies of last fall's brown leaves swirling along the +path before them. + +Across the Hudson the sun was already half hidden by the hills. Below +them the old stone fort sprawled half way down the steep slope that led +to the river. + +Bob's eyes rested on it inquiringly--"Hello, what have we here?" he +asked. + +"That's the old fort, built in the Revolution by the Americans to defend +themselves against the attacking British," Lois recited, in a sing song +voice. "It is said that at the brook we just crossed General George +Washington once watered his horse while the founder of Seddon Hall held +the bridle," she continued, smiling mischievously at her brother. + +It was the tale that was told to all the new girls at school and there +were always a few who believed it. + +Bob laughed heartily. + +"Come, Sis, that's too much, but you told it well. Why don't you add +that Washington and his staff made the reception-room their +headquarters?" + +"I will the next time I tell it," Lois chuckled, pleased at the idea. + +Polly had wandered off a little way down the slope, presently she +called: + +"Lo, do you remember the first time we came out here?" + +"Yes, of course I do; we were getting greens for the Seniors. We talked +so much we were nearly late for luncheon." + +"Doesn't it seem ages ago? By the way, what time is it?" + +Bob pulled out his watch. + +"It's five, ten," he said. + +"It's fate," exclaimed Polly; "we are always late when we come to the +fort." + +"Poor Mother and Dad, we'll have to hustle," said Lois. + +They looked regretfully at the wonderful orange sky, turned, and with +the wind at their backs, started off in the direction of the school. + +Half an hour later, breathless from hurrying, they entered the +reception-room and found Dr. and Mrs. Farwell still talking to Mrs. +Baird, and lingering over the remains of their tea. + +"Enjoyed your walk?" asked Mrs. Farwell. + +"We've had such a cozy tea party that we haven't had time to miss you," +the Doctor added. + +Mrs. Baird acknowledged the compliment with a smile. + +"If the girls are to go out to dinner," she said, "I think they had +better go upstairs and dress: it's almost six o'clock." + +"Are we going out to dinner?" exclaimed Lois. + +"Yes, both of you," replied Mrs. Farwell; "so hurry up." + +"Thank you so much, it's ever so kind of you to ask me, too," said +Polly, suddenly mindful of Aunt Hannah and her instructions in manners, +then, as suddenly forgetting them: + +"What a lark, we'll be ready in a jiffy," and catching Lois by the arm +she dragged her up stairs. + +The Village hotel, under Dr. Farwell's insistent demands, produced a +passably good dinner. Every one was in such high spirits that the time +flew by. + +"Isn't it funny," laughed Lois, as they delayed finishing their cream +and cake, "to be having dinner here with my family? Last time it was +with Uncle Roddy." + +"Yes, isn't it?" agreed Polly. "I wonder what happened to the parrot?" + +The waiter, who was passing the coffee, heard the question and said +sadly: + +"He died a month ago, Miss--of a cold in his head. We miss him sore," he +added dolefully. + +"What a shame!" exclaimed Polly and Lois together. + +"I'll have to write Uncle Roddy and tell him," and Polly tried hard not +to look amused. + +The waiter looked grateful and after a polite "Thank you, Miss," left +the room solemnly shaking his head. + +The trouble with a good time is that there is always an end in sight. We +often don't look for it, and then pretend it's not there. But we're sure +to find it sooner or later lurking around the corner somewhere. + +The end of this particular good time took the shape of the train to +Albany, and the accusing hands of the hotel clock warned the Farwells of +its near approach. + +They saw the girls back to Seddon Hall and after repeated good-bys, +drove off down the hill. + +Polly and Lois watched the lamp on the carriage until it disappeared +around a bend in the road. + +"All over," sighed Lois, unwillingly coming back to earth. "And we +missed study hour, and there's a Latin test tomorrow." + +"Oh, bother Latin, we can get up early in the morning and cram. Lo, your +mother and father are the dearest people I ever met. I mean it, truly," +said Polly. + +Lois looked at her intently. They were on the porch and it was dark-- + +"Don't you like Bob a little tiny bit, too?" she asked mischievously. + +And Polly answered with provoking indifference: + +"Why, of course." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +GHOSTS + + +"Do you think you passed?" asked Betty, joining Angela and Polly in the +schoolroom corridor. It was the third day of examination week and the +Freshmen had just finished the Literature exam. + +"I hope so," Polly answered. "It was awfully fair, don't you think?" + +"Yes; but tell me one thing," Angela insisted, coming to a standstill +and putting her hands on Betty's shoulder. "What did you say for the +hint that Portia gave Bassanio about the caskets?" + +"Why, the song--'Tell me where is fancy bred, in the heart or in the +head?'" Betty answered. + +"Don't you see" (Polly took up the explanation), "bred and head and all +the other lines ended in a word that rimed with lead, and Portia hoped +that Bassanio would think of that and choose the right casket." + +"Too deep for me. I do remember, now, Miss Porter saying something about +it, but I skipped that question," replied Angela. "Still, I think I +passed." + +They were on their way to Polly's room, but before they reached her +door, Lois overtook them. + +"Horrible news!" she announced. "Latin exam. this afternoon instead of +tomorrow!" + +"It can't be. How do you know?" demanded Betty. + +"Saw it posted on the bulletin board." + +"That woman's a fiend," Polly groaned. "I intended cramming this whole +afternoon, and now what's to be done?" + +"Anything particular you want to know?" Angela inquired. "Perhaps I can +help you out a bit." + +"No, there's no use; you'd have to begin from the very beginning," +replied Polly, looking disconsolately out of the window at the glorious +spring day. + +Betty ruffled her hair and frowned. + +"Something ought to be done to rile the Spartan," she said. "What shall +it be?" + +"She knows most of us will flunk," remarked Lois. "I suppose she'll be +beastly sarcastic." + +Angela, who had been curled up on the window seat and had apparently +been paying no attention to the conversation, suddenly remarked: + +"Give me a pencil, some one. I've an idea; it's not very clever, but it +may annoy the Spartan." + +"What is it?" they all demanded. + +But Angela refused to tell. She got up, stretched lazily, and without a +word to any one, left the room. In a few minutes she was back, wearing a +thoroughly satisfied smile. + +"Please tell us where you've been," teased Betty. "I'm bursting with +curiosity." + +"Why, I've been to the bulletin board. I wrote a little note to the +Spartan." + +That was quite enough for the girls. They flew over to the study hall +corridor and crowded around the board. There at the end of the notice of +the Latin examination, written in a big round hand, were the words: + +"I came, I saw, I looked, I ran, I flew, I flunked!" + +"Oh, that's too lovely for words!" gloated Lois. "Angela darling, I'll +love you forever." + +"Come on back to my room," urged Polly. "We don't want the Spartan to +see us here; she'll know who did it." + +"You're right; we had better fly. But O Jemima, wouldn't I love to watch +her face when she first sees it!" chuckled Betty. + +Once back in Polly's room the girls lapsed into silence and all opened +Latin books, which doesn't mean, however, that they studied. Betty was +wondering what particular chapter Miss Hale would choose for +translation; Angela's thoughts were busy with a possible rhyme about the +hard-heartedness of the Spartan, and Lois and Polly were thinking of the +promised walk with Louise, which would have to be given up. + +It was Connie who interrupted their thoughts by banging on the door. + +"May I come in?" she called. + +"Yes; we are all in the depths of despair, but you may come in if you +want to," Polly called dolefully. + +"Sweet fight going on in Senior Alley," Connie began after she had +entered the room. "I've been down there ever since I came out of the +exam, and I heard all about it." + +"Well, for goodness' sake, tell us what's the matter," demanded Angela. + +"Don't be impatient, I'm going to. Listen: Agnes Green," Connie +commenced (Agnes was one of the Seniors and the kind of girl who always +had a grudge against some one), "is furious at Louise; you know she +always has disliked her because Lu didn't put her on the team. Well, it +seems that the Senior class is divided as to whether or not they should +wear white shoes on Commencement. Louise wants to and Agnes doesn't." + +"Of course she doesn't," Polly interrupted angrily. "That girl would +disagree with her own shadow! But go on." + +"That's about all I know," resumed Connie. "Agnes railed at Louise; said +she had always influenced the class the wrong way; was unfair, and I +don't know what. When I left, Louise was in tears." + +Connie stopped for breath and then began again. + +"And here's another little bit of news, which will make you love Agnes +some more: it seems that her brother and a friend of his from college +are coming up here to see her tomorrow. You know the Latin examinations +were fixed for then, so what does dear Agnes do but ask the Spartan to +change the time so that she can chaperon her and brother and brother's +friend on a nice long drive. Naturally the Spartan jumped at the idea +and arranged to give all her exams this very afternoon. Now just what do +you think of that?" she finished, flourishing her arms in the air. + +The girls were speechless with rage. Finally Betty managed to say: + +"Of course we knew about it; that's what we've been holding an +indignation meeting over, but we didn't know whose fault it was." + +"Well, you know it now," replied Connie, "and I know that I have to go +and study; so long, everybody." + +"I suppose I'd better, too," sighed Betty. "Come and help me, Angela. +Jove! I hope it pours rain tomorrow and that Agnes and the Spartan both +get drowned!" And Betty, having given vent to her feelings, left the +room, taking Angela with her. + +Lois and Polly, left alone, faced each other, all thoughts of Latin +forgotten. + +"What's to be done?" Polly demanded. + +"I don't know," Lois answered. "We can't do much, but I would like +Louise to know how we feel about it." + +"We have time to pick her some violets and send them up to her before +luncheon," Polly suggested. + +"That's a good idea; she'll understand from that." + +The violets were soon gathered and a willing Sophomore was found to +deliver them. + +When Lois and Polly saw the rest of their class again, they were at +luncheon, and Lois asked: + +"How did you get on with your cramming, Bet?" + +"Oh, don't! My poor brain is in a dreadful whirl," groaned Betty. "But +did you see the bulletin board?" she added. + +"Why? Has the time for the exam been changed again?" + +"No, but the Spartan has put up a new notice. Isn't that a scream?" And +Betty chuckled gleefully. + +"That is funny," agreed Lois, "but I do hope some of the girls saw +Angela's note before it was taken down." + +"They did all right; there was a crowd standing in front of it, howling +with laughter, when the Spartan arrived. Dot Mead was there and she told +me. Oh, the Spartan's in a sweet rage!" Betty assured them. + +"Nothing to what she'll be in when she sees my paper," spoke up Connie. +"Ah, me, we can't do more than flunk. If I could only have had this +afternoon to study! Drat Agnes Green!" + +Lois and Polly exchanged glances and the conversation changed to other +subjects. + +The much-talked-of and dreaded Latin exam, was not nearly so terrible +after all. Although Miss Hale was a very disagreeable person, she was +also a very good teacher, and the girls found the answers to the +questions much more easily than they had expected. + +Lois and Polly handed in their papers about the same time. A few minutes +later they met in the corridor, and with a sigh of relief joined arms +and sauntered off in the direction of their rooms. Polly said: + +"Lois, I've an idea--about Agnes, I mean; I've been thinking it out all +the time I was taking the exam, and I've thought of a plan." + +"What is it?" questioned Lois. "I couldn't think of a thing except +killing her, and that wouldn't do. Did you see Louise smile at us at +luncheon? Bless her heart!" + +"Yes, but listen," Polly insisted. "Here's my plan. Tonight, after the +Senior 'lights out' bell, we are going down the fire escape and get on +the roof of the porch. Agnes' room is the second from the end, and I +happen to know she leaves her window down from the top. We will knock +gently--" + +"But she's sure to know it's some of the girls," interrupted Lois. "No +one ever thinks of burglars up here." + +"I don't want her to think of burglars," Polly replied solemnly. "I want +her to think of ghosts." + +"Oh, I see. We're going to play spooks. What a lark! But how are we to +do it?" + +"I haven't quite decided about the details, but I will before tonight. +Lo, I'm going to give that girl the scare of her life!" + +And Polly kept her word. That night at 10.15 the Seniors were awakened +by a scream of terror from Agnes Green's room. She said she had seen a +ghost. As the girls were trying to assure her, two figures in long capes +were softly stealing back up the fire escape. + +"I tell you it _was_ ghosts!" Agnes insisted, in tears. "It had four +arms, long white ones, and it waved them and moaned." And she covered +her head with the blankets and shivered at the thought. + +Upstairs the two figures had reached Lois' room. + +"I hope she doesn't die of fright," whispered one. + +"So do I, but I hope she's good and scared. That was a splendid idea of +yours to wear those long-sleeved kimonos," answered the other. + +"Good night," said the first, and slipped out to her own room. + +"Good night," replied the second. "Louise and Latin are both avenged." + +The next morning Agnes stayed in bed for breakfast, and the Seniors said +she had had a nightmare, and it had made her very nervous. + +Polly and Lois were rather heavy-eyed and kept exchanging glances. + +Of course no one suspected them of having anything to do with Agnes' +dream, that is, no one except Louise. She met them in the corridor after +breakfast and whispered very softly: + +"Thank you for my beautiful violets and 'the ghost.' I understood and I +think you're both darlings!" + +That was all they ever heard on the subject. + +Agnes' brother and his friend arrived, and with the Spartan for +chaperon, they went for a drive, but Agnes said she didn't enjoy it as +much as she had expected to, she was so dreadfully upset. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +POLLY INTERVENES + + +Polly had just washed her hair, and she was sitting on her shirt waist +box before the open window drying it. It was a gloriously warm, sunshiny +day and the twitter of birds, the spring smell of the earth and the lazy +hellos of the girls as they greeted one another on the campus below, +gave her a drowsy feeling of contentment. Exams were nearly all over, +and every one seemed to be just waiting in happy anticipation of +Commencement. + +Except for a short talk by Mrs. Baird after dinner it was to be a free +evening and the girls had been granted permission to stay out of doors +until it was really dark. Mrs. Baird had said that now was the time to +take a big deep breath before rushing into the coming week of +excitement. + +Polly, half asleep, felt the top of her head and found it nearly dry--she +shifted her position to a half kneeling one, shook her hair over her +face so that the sun might shine on the back of it, and cradling her +head on her arm resumed her dreaming. + +"I wonder where Lo is," she mused--"probably practicing in the gym with +Bet. I wish I hadn't washed my hair. It seems awfully silly to waste +this beautiful day just breathing. I wonder what we could do. Why +doesn't Lo come up; she knows I can't go out. I believe I'm lonesome." +Polly sat up as this thought took shape in her mind. "How absurd," she +said aloud. And then she laughed. It was funny to think that after all +the years she had spent alone that she could so soon forget how to amuse +herself. It was the first time she had realized what a difference Seddon +Hall had made to her. + +"I'd better get used to it," she said again, but she looked very doleful +at the prospect. + +A few minutes later, as she was feeling sorry for herself, a rap sounded +at the door and Lois' voice called: + +"Oh, Poll, are you there?" + +"Yes, come in." + +"I've been looking all over the place for you." + +"I told you I was going to wash my hair." + +"Well, if you did I forgot it, and I've been all over the grounds trying +to find you." Lois poked her head out of the window. "She's here, Bet, +come on up," she called. "We have a plan for tonight," she continued; +"it's too nice to waste time just roaming around." + +"That's what I've been thinking. What are you going to do?" + +Polly, now quite awake, was rubbing her head with the towel in an +attempt to hurry the drying. + +"Nothing very exciting, it's Bet's suggestion." + +"I like that," Betty herself burst in upon them. "Not very exciting, +just one of Betty's silly ideas." Lois and Polly laughed heartily. +Nothing was quite so amusing as Betty trying to look offended. + +"It's a perfectly good idea, Poll," Betty continued, "and fits in with +this nice lazy day." + +"What is it?" + +"Just a walk to the fort after dinner. Of course when we get there, we +can sing and--" + +"Thrilling, Bet, thrilling," teased Lois, but Polly made her stop by +pushing her down on the bed and stuffing a pillow over her mouth. To +Betty she said: + +"It's a bully idea. It ought to be wonderful near the river tonight. +Who's going?" + +Lois struggled under the pillow. "I'll be good, let me up," she pleaded. +"Ugh! you nearly smothered me. I'll tell you who's going. We are, of +course, and Ange and Connie, and the two Dorothys, because one of them +can sing, and perhaps Florence and Louise and--oh, anybody else that +wants to come along." + +"Who'll chaperon?" + +"Oh, I never thought of that." + +"Let's ask Miss Porter; I know she'd like it." It was Polly's +suggestion. + +"Fine, she's just the one." + +"Not if the two Dorothys come," Betty said decidedly. "Have you +forgotten the row in class?" + +"Then let's drop the two Dorothys," replied Lois. + +"Wait, I've an idea," Polly exclaimed; "let's ask only the girls we like +awfully well. We don't know when we'll ever be together again and--" + +"Oh, Poll!" Lois protested. "Don't talk like that." + +"Well, we don't know. Louise and Florence graduate; Connie may go to the +conservatory, and Ange--" + +"I see what you mean," Betty interrupted. "Make it a sort of farewell +reunion and of course we'll take Miss Porter--she's our favorite +teacher." + +"It'll be worse than a funeral," Lois said dolefully, "but it's rather a +pretty idea." + +"Lo, stop being sentimental; let's get the girls," suggested Betty. +"Poll, hurry up and fix your hair." + +"It's still sopping." + +"Never mind, stick it up any way. It's too warm to make any difference." + +Later they stopped to consult on the "Bridge of Sighs." They had asked +Angela and Connie, and Louise and Florence, and had left them delighted +with the plan. Louise and Florence had a class meeting on, but they +promised to come for a little while. + +"Who else?" asked Betty, expectantly. + +"I don't know," replied Polly; "I can't think of any one." + +"Neither can I," Lois added, "except Miss Porter." + +"Why, that's perfectly silly; don't tell me there are only four girls in +school we like," protested Betty. + +"You're forgetting ourselves," Lois reminded her. + +"Yes, but even then." + +"Let's each choose one other girl," suggested Polly. "Lo, you first, who +do you want?" + +Lois puckered her eyebrows and tried hard to think; finally she said, "I +just don't want any one else and that's the truth." + +Polly smiled, "Bet, it's your turn; who do you want?" + +"Mine? All right, let's see. I like a lot of girls--there's you and Lois +and Ange and Connie--and--Oh, Jemima, but you're all going and I can't +think of any one else, can you?" + +"No, I can't," Polly said, laughing, "so that's settled. Let's go and +ask Miss Porter." + +They found the English teacher in a perfect ocean of examination papers, +a daub of red ink on one ear. + +"Come in, girls, I suppose you want to know if you've passed," she said, +smiling the welcome she always felt for this particular trio. + +"Why, our papers aren't corrected are they?" Betty asked, excitedly. "I +thought it would be days before we knew." + +"Oh, please tell us," begged Polly. + +"Not until I hear why you came," Miss Porter said. + +"Oh, no, tell us our marks first, please, please, please," Lois +beseeched. + +"Very well, I will. I'm too delighted to keep it to myself another +minute," Miss Porter's eyes snapped. "You all passed wonderfully well--I +can't tell you your marks, that wouldn't be fair to the rest, but I am +so proud of you all." + +They accepted this unexpected good news with delight. Literature was +more important to them than any other subject. + +"Oh, great." + +"Isn't that bully!" + +"I was scared to death, the examination was so hard." + +"Now tell me why you came." Miss Porter put down her pen and waited. + +"Will you?" + +"We thought--" + +"Tonight--" They all began at once. + +"It's your idea, Poll, go on," Lois said. + +"Well," Polly began. + +"Polly, Polly," Miss Porter chided, "all your wells will surely make an +ocean and drown you some one of these days." + +"Oh, I know it, but it's such an easy way to begin a sentence. I won't +do it again." Polly took a long breath. + +"You know tonight there is nothing to do, and we thought it would be +nice to go for a walk, out to the fort, just we three, and Angela and +Connie; Florence and Louise said they'd come for a little while if they +could." + +"Yes, and?" Miss Porter asked inquiringly. + +"Oh, well, of course, we want you to come, too," Polly ended, rather +lamely. + +Miss Porter sat very still for a minute and then she smiled, and when +Miss Porter smiled it was a rare treat. If you watched her long enough +you always ended by smiling, too. "That is a jolly idea," she said, +enthusiastically. "Of course I'll come. I can't think of any nicer way +of spending this lovely evening." Then suddenly her face fell. "Oh, my +dear children, I forgot." + +"What?" they demanded. + +"We haven't a free evening at all. We are to have a lecture." + +"You mean Mrs. Baird? But she's only going to tell us the plans for next +week; it won't take a minute," Betty said assuringly. + +"No, that's not it; this is another quite unexpected lecture. Mrs. Baird +told the faculty about it after luncheon, but it slipped my mind." + +"Oh," Lois groaned, "what's it to be?" + +"A lecture on New England during the Revolution, by Professor Hale." + +"Hale? The Spartan--Miss Porter, did she have anything to do with it?" +Betty's eyes flashed indignation. + +"The Professor is Miss Hale's cousin, I believe, and she was responsible +for his coming. I think the lecture will be a very interesting one. He +is going to show pictures." Miss Porter tried to be cheerful. + +"Lantern slides?" demanded Polly. + +"Yes, I believe that's it. I'm sorry about the walk, it would have been +so nice." Miss Porter looked wistfully out of the window, as if she +could see the old fort bathed in moonlight that very second. "But I am +sure we will enjoy the lecture," she added hastily. The girls knew that +no matter how strongly Miss Porter sympathized with them she would not +permit a word against Miss Hale. + +They left in silence and waited until they were in Polly's room, with +the door closed, before they gave vent to their feelings. + +Lois threw herself on the bed in despair. "If that isn't the meanest +thing I ever heard of." + +"To have to stay in on an evening like this and listen to History," +Betty raged. + +"History and the Spartan's cousin," Lois, cross as she was, could not +help laughing at the combination. + +"I suppose it's to get even; we weren't awfully pleasant about the Latin +exam." Betty was jumping at conclusions. + +"Oh, Bet, how silly." Polly turned from her place at the window. "The +Spartan's not as bad as all that, she probably thinks we'll enjoy it." + +"Yes, she does," Betty was skeptical. + +"Polly, talk sense," Lois begged. "How could any one think that we'd +rather listen to--Oh, mercy, when I think of it--the Revolution, battles +and dates--Maybe the Spartan means well, only--" + +But Polly was again looking out of the window. Her eye traveled over the +familiar objects. The tennis court, the gym roof, and a little farther +on, the corner of the stables and the power house. Something in the +queer shaped little stone building caught her attention. + +Betty was still raving. "But Lo, that's not the worst of it, we'll have +to look at millions and hundreds of postal cards, while the Spartan's +cousin explains them like this: + +"My dear young ladies," Betty snatched up a nail file from Polly's +dresser and pointed to a picture on the wall; "in the foreground of this +beautiful picture, we have the exact spot where five minute men fell +after a heroic encounter with the British, in the year--" + +"Oh, Bet, do stop; it's too horrible. Can't we cut?" There was a +moment's silence. + +"We cut one lecture," Polly said with meaning. + +"And we promised Mrs. Baird we'd never do it again," Lois finished for +her. + +Polly whistled softly and reached for her sweater. + +"Where are you going?" Betty demanded. + +"For a walk, and I don't want any company," Polly replied, going out +quietly and shutting the door. + +Lois and Betty were too surprised to speak. And when they had recovered +sufficiently to go out and follow Polly, it was too late, for Polly had +chosen the most unlikely spot for her walk. + +At dinner that night, Mrs. Baird announced the lecture. It was received +with respectful silence. The rest of the girls were quite as +disappointed as Lois and Betty had been--Polly was the only cheerful one +at the Freshman table, and Betty whispered to Lois: + +"I can't make Polly out; she acts as if she were pleased." + +"Poll," Lois appealed direct, "what is the matter with you, do you +really think you are going to like this lecture?" + +Polly smiled an inscrutable smile--"History is my favorite lesson," she +said primly. + +After dinner she disappeared. There would be fifteen minutes before the +lecture began and she had enough to do to fill each one. She went +straight to the power house. Pat was standing in the doorway, his pipe +in his mouth, and an expression on his face that boded ill to all +lectures. + +"Beautiful evening, isn't it?" Polly greeted him. + +Pat looked surprised. "Oh, you're back again. What is it you want to +know now?" he asked. + +"Nothing much, I just thought it would be fun to see you fix up the +connection for the lantern," Polly answered idly. + +"Sure, it's all fixed. I'm sorry; had I knowed you was that interested, +I'd a waited." + +"Oh, pshaw." Polly looked very crestfallen. + +"It's an easy matter to show you how it's done, though. Come inside." + +After a lengthy and voluble discourse on the one hand, and eager +attention on the other, Polly asked: + +"So, really, if you just pulled down that switch the lantern wouldn't +work up at school?" + +"Not till it was turned on again, but why--" + +"Pat," Polly interrupted hastily, "don't you think it's time to go up to +school? They can't begin without you." + +Pat's face fell and he sighed reproachfully. + +"There, I suppose you're right; I'll be getting my coat." + +"Pat, do you like to work the lantern for lecture?" + +"I do not; well, that's not always." + +"How about tonight?" + +"Tonight?" Pat hesitated, tried to keep his reserve, and then gave it +up. "It's like this, Miss, tonight I made plans to go to the village, +and so you can see that this lecture coming sudden like, is not, in a +manner of speaking, welcome to me." + +"Hard luck; I'm sorry," Polly said airily. "It can't be helped, though; +I guess we'd better start." They left the power house and had gone about +a hundred feet when Polly stopped. + +"Gracious, Pat, I've left my Latin book in the power house. I'll have to +go back for it. There goes the bell; you'd better hurry." + +Professor Irvington Hale mounted the platform in Assembly room at +exactly seven-fifteen. He was a young old man with a knotty forehead and +very large ears. He wore horn rim glasses and he carried a black ebony +pointer in one hand. Betty described him adequately when she whispered +to Lois: "He's an owl." + +Lois smothered a giggle and turned to Polly--They were all sitting in the +front row. "Two hours of that; O dear." + +Polly was occupied in watching Mr. Hale, very closely. She only said: +"Oh, cheer up," and kept on watching. + +"Good evening, young ladies. I--er--have the pleasure to address you this +evening on New England and its historical past--" The professor was +already stumbling on his way. After his opening remark he coughed, +shifted his feet, and consulted a card that he held in the palm of one +hand. "First picture, please," he said rather abruptly. + +The lights were turned out promptly, and the girls settled down with a +sigh of resignation. + +They waited, no picture came; the white curtain waved ghost-like in the +dark. The younger girls began to giggle nervously and then some one +turned on the light. Mrs. Baird went to the back of the room. + +"What's the matter, Pat, is there something wrong with the lantern?" + +Pat scratched his head in solemn wonder. "Sure, there should be nothing +wrong with it," he said. + +"Perhaps the trouble is at the power house," Mrs. Baird suggested. "You +better go as quickly as possible and find out. And in the meantime," she +continued, returning to the platform, "perhaps Professor Hale will talk +to us." + +But Professor Hale would not, could not. He had just his lecture, all +learned by heart. A picture slipped in at the wrong time would have +seriously upset him. He fled from the very idea of attempting to talk +against time to this room full of fluttering beribboned young ladies. He +refused point-blank-- + +The school waited restlessly for Pat's return. It was prompt. Mrs. Baird +rose as he entered, and there followed a low voiced and very lengthy +explanation in which the words "wouldn't happen in a hundred years," +"short circuit," and "sorry to disappoint the gentleman," entered +repeatedly. + +Mrs. Baird explained that it would be impossible to fix the lantern that +night, and tried again to induce Professor Hale to give a short talk, +but to no avail. He departed with the Spartan without another word. + +"There will be no lecture tonight, girls," Mrs. Baird announced, "and +you may go out as you planned to do. Don't go too far away from the +house and be sure and return promptly when you hear the bell." And +glancing at the clock she added, smiling: "You haven't lost much time." + +It was the merriest of parties that set out a few minutes later for the +old fort. + +Lois and Betty tried their hardest to find out just how Polly was +responsible, for responsible they knew she was, but Polly refused to say +anything. Her eyes danced with fun and impishness as she insisted it was +really too bad that they'd had to miss the lecture. When the others +joined them Lois and Betty dropped the subject. They sang all the school +songs, and did a great deal of speculating about the future. Miss Porter +told story after story of college. + +"It's been the jolliest and at the same time the saddest evening of the +whole year," Connie declared, as they hurried home at the first sound of +the bell. "Hasn't it, though; it's been so nice just being together. I +don't believe we'll any of us ever forget it," Angela agreed. + +Polly thought of that remark as she sat up in bed an hour later. + +"I know I'll never forget it," she said to her conscience--"It really was +a wonderful evening, and it couldn't have been so very wicked for me to +turn off that switch. And oh dear, Pat was so funny; I know he was +pleased. It was hard for him, though, having to do all the fibbing. I +wonder why things you know are wrong seem right sometimes. This was the +sort of thing Aunt Hannah would have said 'I'm shocked' about, but when +I tell Uncle Roddy he'll only say: 'Good for you, Tiddle de Winks.' It's +too much for me, I don't understand," she finished, drowsily. And in a +few minutes sleep relieved her of any further need of explanation. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +WANTED: A MASCOT + + +"There will be a meeting of the big team and substitutes in classroom A +at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Please be prompt," read Lois, standing in +front of the bulletin board. She had finished her last exam. and was +free for the rest of the week. + +It was Thursday and just one week before Commencement. Mrs. Baird +believed in having the examinations over before the excitement of the +last days gave the girls something else to think about. + +School continued, however, until three days before the close. The +teachers took that time to go over the papers with the girls and have a +general review. + +Lois, still gazing at the notice, caught sight of her chum leaving the +schoolroom and called to her: + +"Hey, Polly, come here and look at this." + +"Hum! Wonder what it's all about," mused Polly after she had read it. +"Do you know?" + +"Final preparation for Field Day, of course. Oh, Polly, if we'd only get +a chance to play!" sighed Lois. + +"No such good luck. You may, but I've had my chance. Why couldn't I have +waited and sprained my ankle for this game, when I'm not needed!" +grumbled Polly. + +"What! And missed Commencement! Poll, you're crazy!" + +"Well, perhaps I am. Anyhow, let's go down to Senior Alley and see if we +can find Louise," suggested Polly. "I want to know what's up." + +They found Louise in her room and began at once to question her. + +"What are we going to have a team meeting for?" demanded Lois. + +"Are any of the big team sick?" Polly added eagerly. + +"I never knew such inquisitive children," answered Louise. "I knew you'd +be here the minute you'd seen the notice. Can't you possess your souls +in patience until 2 o'clock?" + +"No, we can't possibly. Go on and tell us, _please_," begged Lois, +putting both arms around Louise's neck and ruffling her hair. "We won't +open our mouths," she promised. + +"You know we love you an awful lot, and you might give us a tiny hint," +teased Polly. "Besides, we won't go till you do." + +"Imps," declared Louise, and pulling the girls down on the bed beside +her and putting an arm around each, she continued: "Listen to me: to get +rid of you, I'll tell you part, not all, mind, of what we are going to +discuss." + +"Well, go on; don't stop," prompted Polly and Lois, as Louise stopped +for breath. + +"Of course you know that Flora Illington's place is not filled so we +have to decide definitely on another substitute to play center and--" + +"You'll choose Betty," finished Polly, with a rush. + +"Will you tell her today?" demanded Lois excitedly. "Oh, I am glad!" + +And to show their entire approval of the idea, both girls threw their +arms around their poor defenseless captain and hugged her until she +called for help. + +"Woh!" she exclaimed when they had finally let her go. "If I had known +how you were going to treat me, I never would have told you; you've +pulled my hair all down, wretches." + +"Never mind that; you can put it up again. Tell us when you are going to +tell Betty," urged Lois. + +"We'll have to vote on it as a matter of form, but of course she'll get +it. But promise me you won't breathe a word about it until I say you +may." + +"We promise; but won't Betty be thrilled!" laughed Polly. + +The luncheon bell interrupted them and they left Louise madly fixing her +hair, to join the line. + +At the table Betty asked: + +"What are you two so quiet about?" + +Polly and Lois exchanged smiles. + +"You'll see soon enough; it's about you," Polly told her, and for fear +too much had been said, Lois added: + +"It's something terrible!" + +Betty stopped in the act of putting some tomato catsup on her croquette +to demand: + +"Which exam. have I flunked, or is it all of them?" + +"Worse than that," answered Lois. "But you'll soon know." + +At 2 o'clock the teams met in classroom A and Betty's name was put up +for substitute, and as Louise had prophesied, every one voted yes. The +girls all adored Betty and had been sorry to see her left out in the +first election on account of the fouls she always made. But now when her +name came up again and they remembered the plucky fight she had made the +day of the Indoor Meet, they were only too delighted to welcome her as +one of the "subs." + +"Hadn't we better call her in for the rest of the meeting?" suggested +Louise. "Polly, will you go and find her? Don't tell her what she's +wanted for; just bring her here." + +A few minutes later Betty arrived, looking very apprehensive, and Louise +told her with all due form and ceremony that she had been chosen to fill +Flora's place on the team. + +Betty's delight knew no bounds. The girls cheered her and were very +strenuous in their congratulations. It was fully fifteen minutes before +the meeting came to any sort of order. When things did finally quiet +down, Louise, as captain, took the chair. + +"Field Day is not two weeks off," she began. "You all know that we are +going to play the Fenwick School again this year and we must win." + +Then looking at Polly, she added: "Please be careful and don't get any +broken ankles or arms, for you may all be needed. Remember, they beat us +last year." + +"That was because we played on their floor and it was strange to us," +spoke up Florence Guile. She had played in the game the year before and +felt she must defend the team's honor. "This year we play here and we +will win; you see if we don't." + +At this point Nora Peters, one of the Juniors who was not on the team, +knocked at the door. She had a letter in her hand and she spoke +hurriedly to Louise. + +"I am awfully sorry to disturb you," she said, "but I've just had a +letter from one of the Fenwick girls, and I thought it might interest +you. It's about the team." + +"Good! Read it to us!" exclaimed half a dozen voices. + +"This is the important part," began Nora as she read: + +"'We have a wonderful team this year and so far we haven't had a single +defeat.'" + +("O Jemima!" groaned Betty.) + +"'We play four other teams every year; you play only two, don't you? Our +centers are great! I remember last year when your team played here how +easily we beat you! I hate to say it, Nora dear, but we're going to beat +you again!'" + +"That's all she says about the team," Nora finished, folding up the +letter. "No, wait a minute," she added. "This may interest you, too. She +says: + +"'We have the most adorable mascot; wait till you see him; and he's +never failed us yet.'" + +"Thanks, ever so much," Louise exclaimed as soon as she stopped reading. +"That's valuable information. We're much obliged to your friend." + +"I wouldn't have said anything about it if she hadn't bragged so," Nora +answered, backing to the door. "But mind, you beat them _well_, so that +I can say 'I told you so.'" + +"We will, we will," cried the team with one voice. + +"Now what do you think of that?" demanded Madelaine Ames, one of the +guards, a tall lanky girl with straight hair. + +"What did she say about a mascot?" Betty inquired eagerly. + +"That they had an adorable one," replied Mary Reeves, the other guard. + +"We ought to have one, too," chimed in Helen Reed, the jumping center. +"Something original, I say; I'm tired of cats and dogs." + +"Everybody think hard," suggested Louise, "and if you think of +something, let me know and I'll call a meeting. We can't let them get +ahead of us even in a mascot." + +After a few unimportant details were discussed, the meeting broke up and +the girls separated, each to think of a fitting mascot. + +The next morning Lois, Betty and Polly, having finished all their exams, +had the whole glorious day to themselves. Right after breakfast they +disappeared into the woods and sought their favorite brook. When they +reached it, they were very hot and tired, for the day was warm, and they +had run all the way. + +"Phew!" gasped Betty, throwing herself down beside the stream. "I'm +hot." + +"So am I," Polly agreed, resting her chin on her hands. "My feet, +particularly. I have on these old hot gym shoes." + +"Why don't we go in paddling?" suggested Lois. "It couldn't hurt us; +it's so lovely and warm." + +No sooner said than done. In two minutes their shoes and stockings were +off and they were wading, ankle-deep, in the cool water. + +"Great, isn't it?" gurgled Betty, looking down at her toes. "Ouch! Be +careful of this spot; there's a sharp stone," she warned. + +As Polly was about to look at the spot Betty was pointing to, a queer +chattering noise up in the tree above her head caught her attention. +Looking up she saw a dark brown "something" sitting on a limb of the +tree. + +"Look!" she whispered. + +"What is it?" gasped Lois when she had seen. + +"Why, don't you know?" Betty demanded. "We've simply got to get it; I'll +climb up the tree." + +"Be careful not to scare it," cautioned Polly. + +But there was no fear of that, for as soon as Betty reached the limb +occupied by "it," there was a scuffle, and she felt something land on +her shoulder. + +"I've got it, safe and sound," she called to the girls below. + +"Look how thin it is," said Lois when Betty was again on terra firma. +"Let's take it back to school and feed it, it must have run away." + +"Of course we will--the darling--and--Oh, Polly, Lo, why didn't we +think of it the minute we saw it? We'll have it for a mascot!" + +That afternoon there was a very important team meeting in one of the +classrooms. It lasted just a few minutes, but when the girls came out +they were all smiling very mysteriously, and they seemed to be delighted +about something. + +There was a good deal of smuggling of food into the cellar, of which +Mrs. Baird had given Betty the key. + +For the remaining few days before Field Day, every time one of the team +met Betty, Lois or Polly, they would inquire very mysteriously how "it" +was, and before many days passed the word went round the school that +Seddon Hall had discovered a worthy mascot. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +FIELD DAY + + +Field Day arrived and with it the excitement known to any girl who has +played in a big game of basket-ball. + +"Oh, Polly, I'm so thrilled!" exclaimed Lois, putting her arm around her +chum and dancing wildly down the corridor. "I'm glad my family isn't +coming." + +"So am I," Polly answered, thinking of Bob. "If we could only get a +chance to play!" + +"Hush! I don't even dare think of such a thing!" + +"Well, I do, and I'll bet anything that the big team girls can't pass +the ball as fast as you and Betty and I can." + +"They can't. I watched last practice game and they made some dreadful +mistakes with the signals. By the way, how is 'it' this morning?" + +"Fine, Betty took some food to the cellar right after breakfast. The +darling's really getting fat." + +"Here comes Bet now. Oh, Betty, here we are!" Lois called as the third +member of the trio appeared at the other end of the corridor. + +"Thank goodness, I've found you," Betty answered. "All substitutes are +wanted in the gym. Louise is waiting for you; hurry up." + +The above conversation took place in Freshman Alley about ten o'clock in +the morning. Throughout the entire school the game was the one subject +that was being discussed. The girls had pinned the Seddon Hall colors on +the fronts of their sailor suits, and the long green and white ribbons +gave the required holiday effect. + +In the gym the more ardent admirers of the team were busy with the +decorations. The big Seddon Hall banner almost covered one end of the +room and the other walls were hung with small school flags and +streamers. Angela and Connie, both seated on the floor, were carefully +polishing the handsome silver loving cup. + +It was upon this scene of preparation that Betty, followed by Polly and +Lois, entered. + +"Here they are," she announced to Louise who, with the rest of the team, +was waiting for them at the other end of the gym. "I've found them at +last." + +"That's good; I guess we are all here now," Louise replied. "I wanted to +tell you that the Fenwick girls get here at 12.05. The teams and +substitutes are all to have luncheon in the younger children's +dining-room. We will have to entertain them and show them around, of +course, but, girls, don't talk too much; remember, they may be trying to +pump. I guess that's all I wanted to say," Louise finished, "except," +she added miserably, "to remind you all to do your very best for the +honor of dear old Seddon Hall." + +"Of course we will!" shouted the team, and Madelaine Ames, jumping up +from her seat, asked excitedly: + +"Who's the finest captain in the world?" + +"Louise Preston," came the hearty response. + +Louise, to cover her confusion, called Betty to her and asked if "it" +had been fed. + +"Fed! It's been stuffed," Betty assured her. "But who has the bow for +its neck?" + +"I have it in my room," answered Helen Reed. "If you'll come with me +I'll give it to you." And the two girls left the gym. + +It had been decided that the big team should march into the gym first, +followed by the substitutes, Betty leading the still mysterious mascot, +and Polly and Lois carrying the huge Seddon Hall banner. + +The girls left the gym to await the arrival of the visiting team after +Louise had finished talking to them. At quarter past twelve they +arrived, and at the first sound of the carry-all's approach, the Seddon +Hall girls started cheering, and Louise, as captain, stepped forward to +welcome them. + +Lois, Betty and Polly moved a little to one side in order to get a good +look at their opponents. + +"That girl's a giant," whispered Lois, pointing at one of the Fenwick +girls. "I'll bet she plays home." + +"Seems to me they are all giants," Betty grumbled. "I suppose that's +their mascot in that basket; well, it can't beat ours." + +"Why, there are only nine of them," pointed out Polly excitedly. "That +means only three 'subs.' What luck!" + +"Come here, you three," called Louise from the driveway. "Some more of +our substitutes," she explained as the trio shook hands all around. + +As they all stood exchanging greetings, Mary Reeves whispered in Polly's +ear, as she pretended to fix her hair ribbon: + +"It's all over for us." + +The girls finally sauntered off in groups to inspect the gym and locker +rooms or to look around the grounds. Polly, Lois, and Betty had +undertaken to entertain the three visiting subs and were taking them in +the direction of the woods. + +"Have you a mascot?" asked one of them, a fair-haired girl of about +fifteen. + +Polly told her that they had, and then abruptly changed the subject by +asking: + +"Have you had to substitute often this year?" + +"No, I haven't, but May has," answered the Fenwick sub. + +"Do tell us about it," Polly inquired. + +May was only too anxious to have her turn in the conversation. + +"It was just before Easter," she began, "and we were playing the +Whitehead team. I came in the second half; the score was a tie and we +couldn't make a point. The other team had a free throw on account of our +foul and Jane--she's our forward--told me to watch, and when she threw her +braid over her right shoulder, to throw high. Well, I watched and did as +she told me, and we made a goal." + +"How terribly exciting!" murmured Lois without changing a muscle of her +face. "And you just won the game by a single point?" + +"Yes, it was thrilling," May agreed. "Of course if Esther hadn't had to +have gotten out of the game, we would have made more points; they know +each other's signals so well." + +"And signals make such a difference," Betty remarked, giving Polly's arm +a surreptitious pinch. + +Polly smiled in reply and in a few minutes excused herself. + +"There is something rather important that I must attend to before +luncheon," she explained. + +Fifteen minutes later, on her way to the dining-room she slipped a note +into Louise's hand. + +"Read it when you are alone," she whispered, and this is what Louise +read: + +"The two forwards signal with their braids. Over the right shoulder, +means throw high. Tell Madelaine and Mary to watch." + +The game was scheduled to start at 3 o'clock sharp and by 2.30 the teams +were all in their suits and the gym was filling up with the girls and +the faculty. At the stroke of three the Fenwick team entered and marched +to the opposite side of the gym, and came to a halt under a banner of +yellow and white, their school colors. Two of their substitutes +followed, carrying a white satin cushion on which sat a tortoise-shell +cat with a big white bow on its neck. On close inspection it was +discovered to have six toes on one paw, and was therefore very lucky. + +As they entered, the Seddon Hall girls gave them a cheer and then sang +the welcoming song, written by Angela for the occasion. There was just +enough time for every one to quiet down before the home team appeared. +Louise Preston led, carrying the ball, then came Florence Guile; they +were the two forwards and were followed in turn by Mary Reeves and +Madelaine Ames, the guards, and Grace Hampton and Alice Wentworth, the +centers. + +At sight of them the school set up a mighty cheer that stopped abruptly, +however, as Betty, with a little brown monkey perched on her shoulder, +entered, at the head of the substitutes. + +The mysterious secret of the mascot was out. Seddon Hall had had many +and varied animals for mascots in its time, but never before had a live +monkey attended one of the Field Day games. It was fully ten minutes +before the teams were able to take their places on the floor, so great +was the school's delight. Had the organ grinder who had lost his pet +witnessed this scene he might have felt recompensed for his loss. + +When at last Miss Stuart could command silence, she blew the whistle, +tossed up the ball, and the game was on. + +From the very first it seemed to Polly, Lois and Betty, watching from +the side lines, that they must face defeat. After the first toss-up, the +Fenwick center caught the ball, passed it up the floor to her forward, +and before the Seddon Hall girls could realize it, a goal was won. + +After three unsuccessful attempts to get the ball away from her +opponent, Grace Hampton lost her nerve and started to cry. She was a +good player when all went well, but once unnerved she was practically +useless for the rest of the game. + +In the middle of a scrimmage the ball rolled out of bounds, and Miss +Stuart called time for a minute. + +"Get ready to get in the game, Polly," whispered Louise hurriedly. "You +may be needed." + +Polly tore off her sweater and waited. The game, after the minute's time +was up, began again. Alice Wentworth played too hard in her attempt to +support Grace and fouled for roughness. As the Fenwick forward prepared +to throw for her basket, Louise asked to put in a substitute. Grace left +the floor in tears and Polly took her place. + +She played like a little fury for the rest of the first half, but to no +purpose, for Alice Wentworth was now thoroughly wild and could give her +no support. + +"What is the matter with that girl?" groaned Betty, stamping with rage. +"Can't she understand a straight signal! Oh, if they'd only let me in!" + +"I can't do it all," Polly cried desperately as she dived for the ball +near the line where Lois and Betty sat. + +"You've got to," Lois answered. "How much longer will this half last?" +she asked, turning to Betty. + +"Long enough to leave no chance for us. Oh, Lo, they've made another +basket!" And Betty wrung her hands in despair. + +After a few minutes more of desperate struggling to keep the ball away +from the other team, Miss Stuart blew the whistle, and the first half +was over. The score was 5--0 in the Fenwick team's favor. + +The school cheered half-heartedly, and under Connie's vigorous +leadership, they sang to each member of the team in the vain hope of +encouraging them. Polly was completely out of breath and Lois made her +lie flat on her back and Betty forbid her talking. + +After a doleful fifteen minutes the whistle blew again and the second +half started. Up went the ball, and despite Polly's frantic efforts to +stop it, it flew straight in the direction of the wrong goal. The fact +that Madelaine and Mary knew the Fenwick signals helped considerably, +for they managed to keep them from getting some baskets which they might +otherwise have made. The ball seemed to be always at their end of the +floor. + +To the girls on the side lines it looked hopeless, when suddenly things +began to happen. Alice fouled three times for roughness and was put out +of the game. + +"Thank goodness," Polly whispered as Betty took her place. "Don't forget +the old signals." + +Up went the ball again, but when it came down, it was in Polly's hands. +A cry went up from the school. Betty raised her arm and put up two +fingers, and Polly threw her the ball, low, swift, and straight as a +die. Betty bounced it to the line and threw high to Florence, who, as +she afterwards declared, was dreaming, for the ball struck her full on +the nose, and in a second her handkerchief was covered with blood. + +Time was called and although Florence insisted that she would be all +right in a minute, Miss King made her leave the floor. Louise called +Lois to take her place. + +"Now to show them some real playing," Betty exclaimed excitedly. + +From the second the ball touched Polly's hands after the toss-up until, +by a few swift passes, Louise had thrown it in the basket, the Fenwick +team never had a chance at it. It sped like lightning from Polly to +Betty, to Lois, to Louise. Seddon Hall had never seen such passing, and +the girls showed their appreciation by prolonged cheers. + +Time after time they repeated the same thing. Without doubt they had +found themselves, and the Fenwick team seemed powerless to stop them. + +"Yi! That's the way to do it!" shouted Betty as Louise made her fifth +basket and the Fenwick captain asked to put in a substitute for center. +But substitutes were of no avail; nothing could stop the Seddon Hall +team. Once in a while the ball would trickle towards one of the Fenwick +forwards, only to be batted back by Mary or Madelaine into Polly's or +Betty's waiting hands. Once there, it was but a few swift passes, and +Louise would throw it triumphantly into the basket. + +Not one goal could the other team make after the first half, and when at +last the game ended, the score was 9--5 in Seddon Hall's favor. + +When the final whistle blew there was a mad rush, and the girls on the +team were hoisted high on the shoulders of the delighted school. Some +one threw the big green and white banner around Louise and put the +rather frightened mascot into her arms, and singing and cheering wildly, +they carried her to the other end of the gym before the table whereon +the silver cup had been placed. + +Polly, Lois and Betty escaped as soon as the excited girls would let +them, and jumping out of their gym suits they met, a few minutes later, +in Roman Alley. + +"Oh, but that was a game!" gloated Betty. "Why did it ever end!" + +"I nearly died of joy when you came in," Polly exclaimed. "And when Lo +took Florence's place, well--" But Polly could find no words to express +her feelings. + +"I'll bet those Fenwick girls had the surprise of their lives. I heard +Nora Peters rubbing it in to her friend that wrote her that letter. And +as for mascots, wasn't their cat stupid when compared to our darling?" +Lois demanded gleefully. + +"Oh, there you are!" called Louise's voice from the top of the stairs. +"Make room for us," she added as she came down, followed by Mary and +Madelaine. + +"We were just talking about the game, naturally," explained Lois. "You +certainly can make baskets, O mighty Captain," she added, bowing low +before Louise. + +"I?" questioned Louise. "You know very well I had nothing to do with the +game. You three saved the day; how am I going to thank you?" + +"It was certainly a relief when you came in," sighed Madelaine. "Mary +and I were almost all in." + +"I'd given the game up for lost," Louise continued, putting her arm +around Polly and Lois and smiling gratefully at Betty, "until you +started those wonderful passes. You must have done an awful amount of +practicing that I didn't dream of," she added. + +The three girls looked at one another and grinned foolishly, and Betty +said: + +"Certainly not!' + +"Wasn't that a wonderful catch Mary made?" asked Lois. + +"Yes; but did you see the high one Florence stopped?" + +"Poor old Florence; how's her nose?" + +"That Fenwick center almost killed me." + +And a thousand other questions were asked and answered, and to the +splash, splash of the water as it ran in their tubs, the victorious team +played the game over again in words. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE MUSICAL + + +It was the morning of the musical and the day before Commencement. +Lessons were over for the year, and all the girls were in a high state +of holiday excitement. + +Connie's name was on the program twice, the first time for a two piano +piece with Nora Peters, and the second for a very difficult sonata by +herself. The professor had promised that if she were encored, she might +play one of her own compositions. So Connie, full of thrills, practiced +night and day. + +Angela, left to herself, joined forces with Betty and together with +Polly and Lois they were always at the service of the Senior class. They +were kept pretty busy, running errands and doing the dozen and one +things that were to be done before the musical. + +Just now they were sitting on the floor of the assembly room platform, +waiting for orders. The Seniors had their hands full with the +decorations and were transforming the dignified old room into a bower of +greens and dogwood. + +Madelaine Ames approached Louise with a very worried expression on her +usually smiling face. + +"We haven't half enough branches," she complained. "We need loads more +dogwood. Can't Polly and Lois get some for us?" + +"Hush!" cautioned Louise, for they were within ear-shot of the four +girls. "Don't you realize that their hands mustn't be all scratched up? +Ask Bet and Angela." + +Madelaine crossed the platform to where the four sat in mystified +silence, for they had overheard every word of the conversation between +the two older girls. + +"Betty," she called, "will you and Angela get us some more big branches +of dogwood or apple blossoms? Those stupid Sofs brought in only little +twigs. Take one of the stable boys with you to do the heavy work for +you. You know about the size we want." + +"Of course we will," answered Betty, "and we'll bring you the trees back +if you want them," she called as they disappeared. On their way to the +stables Angela said: + +"I'd like to know what Lo and Poll are having their hands saved for." + +As she said it, Polly and Lois, still on the platform, were wondering +the same thing. + +"Can't we do something for you?" Lois asked presently, trying to look +unconscious. + +"Yes, if you will," Louise answered. "I'm worried to death about my +Commencement dress; it hasn't come yet. Will you go down to the +express-room and see if there's a package for me?" + +"If there is, hadn't we better open it and shake the wrinkles out of +your dress?" suggested Polly. + +"Do, please, and I'll love you even more than I do now," promised +Louise. + +The box had arrived, and as the two girls untied it and took out the +countless wads of tissue-paper, they discussed the subject uppermost in +their minds. + +"What did Louise mean about our hands, Lo?" Polly demanded. + +"Perhaps it's something to do with the musical," answered Lois, slowly +smoothing out the creamy white sleeve. + +"They'd hardly be so particular about that," mused Polly, "and yet it +couldn't be anything to do with Commencement." + +"N-no." Lois hesitated as she crumpled up a piece of tissue-paper into a +tight ball. "Still, I can't help thinking that no one has been chosen to +carry the ribbons on Commencement." + +"But we couldn't do that," Polly objected. "We're Freshmen and you know +you told me they always choose two girls from their sister class." + +"They always have, but everything is so upside down this year that +nothing would surprise me. The Sofs are cross because the Seniors didn't +return their party." + +"Don't let's think about it. Goodness, I feel just the way I did before +the sub team was chosen." + +"All right. I guess we'd better go and tell Louise that her dress is +here." + +"I do wish we hadn't overheard anything about our hands, though, for, +try as I will, I can't get it out of my head," Polly remarked as they +were on their way back to the Assembly Hall. + +"Cheer up, we'll soon know," Lois reminded her. As they entered the room +she called: + +"It's here, Louise, and it's a perfect darling. It's all foamy lace and +ribbons and looks just like soda-water." + +"Thank you so much," Louise said. "I'm ever so much obliged." + +"By the way, as we came over the Bridge of Sighs, we saw the florist's +cart in the driveway. Don't you want us to bring up the flowers?" Polly +inquired. + +"Oh, please do, and fix them in these," Louise replied, pointing to +three large glass vases. + +The arrangement of the big American beauties which were to decorate the +platform occupied the girls until luncheon time. + +A few minutes before the bell rang, Angela and Betty returned, laden +down with dogwood and apple blossoms. When they had deposited their +burden and were standing with Polly and Lois, three of the Seniors +joined them. Mary Reeves was one of them, and as she put her arm on +Betty's shoulder she said: + +"We certainly can't thank you girls enough for all you've done, but +instead of giving you a rest, we are going to ask for more. Will you be +ushers for us this afternoon and see about bringing in the flowers to +the girls who are to take part in the musical? All the boxes will be put +in the history-room and the cards will be on them." + +"All you will have to do," continued Florence Guile, "is to bring them +in and give them to the girls they're for, after they have finished +their stunt. Will you do it for us?" she asked, smiling. + +"Certainly we will," Betty replied. + +"Don't try to pretend it's a favor to you," laughed Lois. "You know we +just love to do it." + +"I know you are all ducks, and I don't know what we would have done +without you," Florence told them just as the luncheon bell rang. + +When the girls had taken their seats at the table, Polly whispered to +Lois: + +"You see, it's all explained. It was for the musical." + +"You are all wrong," contradicted Betty, who had overheard the whisper. +"It's still a mystery; you forget Angela and I are going to help this +afternoon, too, and I didn't notice anybody getting excited over _our_ +hands." + +"I never thought of that. I guess you're right, Bet," Lois agreed, and +she and Polly exchanged puzzled glances mixed with a new hope. + +The next couple of hours were full to overflowing. The corridors were +crowded with fluffy beribboned girls all talking at once. + +"Some one button me up!" + +"Who took my shoe horn?" + +"Tie my hair ribbon for me, please!" + +"I can't find my only pair of silk stockings!" and other such demands. + +About half past three the first carriages from the station that were +bringing the visitors began to arrive. Every one was doing a favor for +some one else, or greeting friends and relatives. Such happy excitement +prevailed everywhere that the school resembled a cage of fluttering +butterflies. + +At four o'clock the recital began. Seddon Hall was renowned for its +music. Some of the girls played remarkably well, and there were a number +of beautiful voices. + +Connie had to give not only one encore, but two, and it was her own +composition that called forth the heartiest applause. + +Polly, Lois, Angela and Betty were kept busy bringing in big bunches of +violets, roses and lilies-of-the-valley. After Edith Thornton had sung +two funny little Irish songs and the audience had stopped their +enthusiastic applause, Louise Preston rose to give the farewell address +in the name of the Seniors. + +With clear well-chosen words she told of her class's love for Seddon +Hall, its influence for good on all who entered it, the ever-ready +sympathy of its dearly loved superior, Mrs. Baird, and ended with the +regret they all felt at leaving. It was a triumph of beautiful thoughts +told in beautiful English. + +After the thunders of applause there was hardly a dry eye in the room, +and Polly and Lois were crying quite shamelessly, as they brought in the +many bouquets to their Senior president. + +Suddenly every one began to talk, praise, and congratulations were in +the air. The musical was over. The visitors left for the hotel in the +village, where they were to spend the night so as to be on hand for +Commencement. The girls returned to their corridors to change their +fluffy dresses for more comfortable ones and then to wander about the +hall, discussing the recital and waiting for the bell. + +After dinner they walked about the grounds in small groups, singing +school songs and farewells to the Seniors. When they came in they spent +the rest of the evening visiting from room to room and packing trunks. + +The Seniors had built a bonfire on the side of the gym farthest away +from the school. As the twilight deepened, their shadows lengthened as +they sat around the blaze, and their thoughts turned back to the past. +They were burning their old notebooks and papers. + +"Well, it's all over," sighed Madelaine Ames, throwing her history +examination into the fire. "But what a year it's been!" + +"We've beaten last year's class average in marks," announced a voice +from the shadow. "The Spartan told me so." + +"Disagreeable, funny old Spartan! I'll even miss her," murmured some one +else. + +"We've been popular, too, I think," mused another voice. + +"Louise's name will be on the cup twice as basket-ball captain." It was +Mary Reeves speaking. "And no one will ever say Field Day wasn't the +finest game in years." + +There was silence for a few minutes and then Madelaine said: + +"Wonder what the next class will be like?" + +Florence Guile was gazing into the fire. + +"Not much, I'm afraid," she drawled. "They're too studious." + +"I've been here four years, and it breaks my heart to leave," Louise +spoke for the first time. + +"It isn't as bad for you and Florence as it is for the rest of us," some +one answered. "You're both going to college next spring--lucky dogs--while +we will have to go in for society--awful thought." + +"But college won't be Seddon Hall," Louise replied. "Wonder if they'll +miss us?" + +"The Freshmen will. Oh, what a class they're going to make when they are +Seniors! I hope they all come back," Mary Reeves exclaimed. + +"That reminds me--What about telling Polly and Lois about tomorrow?" +demanded Louise. "Mrs. Baird said to wait until after the musical. She +agrees with us that none of the 'Sofs' will do, but she doesn't want +them to have time to grumble." + +"We forgot all about it," Madelaine gasped. "You and Florence go and ask +them now, they adore you. But hurry back," she called as the two girls +started for the school. + +Polly and Lois were in the latter's room amid confusion, heaps of +clothes, shoes, and books. Polly was curled up on the bed brushing her +hair, and Lois was sitting on the window seat, her elbow on her knee and +her chin cradled in her hand. They were discussing the prospects of the +next winter without the Seniors. + +Polly had just given vent to a deep sigh and the words: + +"It will never be quite the same without them." + +And Lois was saying: + +"Fancy the Senior table without Louise," when they were interrupted by a +knock on the door. + +"Come in," called Polly, and Florence and Louise entered the room. + +"I've come to thank you two precious infants for that beautiful basket +of flowers," Louise began. "It was mighty thoughtful of you, and I do +appreciate it so much." + +Lois and Polly were so confused by the sudden entrance of the very +persons they had been talking about that they could only stammer: + +"Oh, it wasn't anything, really!" + +"But we've something more important than that to say," Florence +announced, and then waited for Louise to break the news. + +Polly and Lois exchanged glances. + +"It's another favor," laughed Louise. "Do you think you could act as +ribbon girls for us tomorrow?" Then pretending not to hear the joyful +gasps of surprise, she continued: "You'll have to come down to church +tomorrow morning when we rehearse the procession and we'll show you what +to do. Will you do that for us?" + +It had come, and though both girls had half expected it, it was a +tremendous surprise. + +"Oh, Louise, you know we'd love to do it!" cried Lois. + +"It's most too good to be true," Polly exclaimed excitedly, then very +solemnly she added to Florence: "To think we will really help you +graduate! It's the most thrilling thing that ever happened to me in my +whole life!" + +"I'm so glad you will do it for us," smiled Florence, and turning to +Louise she added: "We'd better go back to the girls. I think they'll be +waiting for us. It's almost time to serenade Mrs. Baird." + +Polly and Lois, left alone, could do nothing but look at each other. At +last Lois gave a thoroughly contented sigh. + +"Who says we're not in luck?" she asked. + +"It's a perfect ending to a perfect year," replied Polly, putting her +arm around her friend. "You know--" + +"Hush!" whispered Lois. "They're singing!" + +They opened the window and leaned far out upon the ledge. Through the +warm night air came the sound of the Seniors' voices singing their last +farewell, beneath Mrs. Baird's window, in accordance with the old Seddon +Hall custom. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +COMMENCEMENT DAY + + +The sun was just peeping over the red-tiled roof of the gym, as Polly +and Lois stole softly out of the house and walked slowly in the +direction of the woods. The day was warm and clear with the wonderful +freshness of early morning. The ground was covered with millions of +cobwebs and sparkling dewdrops that danced in the sunshine. + +"Commencement Day at last," Polly began, speaking in a subdued whisper, +for they were still near the school windows. + +"It couldn't have been more glorious," replied Lois. "I think I would +have died if it had dared to rain." + +They walked on a little way in silence, and then Polly said very +seriously: + +"It's our last day together. I'm glad you thought of this walk. We +probably won't have another chance to be alone." + +"I know," returned Lois. "Polly, I can't bear to think of this summer +without you." + +"Oh, don't remind me of it!" Polly pleaded. "Think how I'll miss you. We +can write, of course, but let's cheer up. We mustn't spoil this +beautiful morning by getting the blues." + +They linked arms and continued their walk. The seriousness of their talk +had caused them to halt in the middle of the path. + +"Where will we go?" questioned Lois. + +"We've time to walk as far as the brook before breakfast," Polly +suggested, "and we can say good-by to all the dear old spots on the +way." + +The brook was visited, as were all the other places, the crow's-nest, +the old wall, the ruin, and the rest of the landmarks that were dear to +the heart of every Seddon Hall girl. + +On the whole it was not a very cheerful walk, and when the girls +returned to school in time to join the line for breakfast, they were +rather sad and quiet. It was not long, however, before they caught the +general spirit of excitement that prevailed and were as jolly as the +rest. + +"What time do you want us to practice, Louise?" Polly called as she +caught sight of the busy Senior president in the corridor after +breakfast. + +"We are going to leave here for church at ten o'clock sharp. Be ready +and wait outside Mrs. Baird's office for us," Louise answered as she +hurried past. + +Polly and Lois were ready and waiting many minutes before it was time to +go, and it seemed hours to them before the Seniors assembled and Mrs. +Baird gave the word to start. They walked hurriedly down the steep hill +which leads to the village and then on to the little old church covered +with ivy, located at the farthest end of the main street. + +"Do let's sit down and rest a minute," said Mrs. Baird, dropping into +one of the last pews and fanning herself with her handkerchief. "It's +certainly a glorious day, but it's a very warm one, too." + +Louise insisted that she could direct them sitting down as well as +standing, so the rehearsal began. Polly and Lois were told how to manage +the white satin ribbons, and the Seniors practiced the Commencement +hymn. + +"You see, my dears," Mrs. Baird explained to Polly, "the whole school +marches in first, every one taking their place; they are followed by the +faculty and visitors. When they are all seated you and Lois take the +ribbons, which will be fastened to the last pews, and walk slowly up the +aisle. You are followed by the Seniors, and you wait until they have +received their diplomas and the service is over, then you follow them +out, and the rest of the school follows you." + +"It's just like a wedding, isn't it?" Lois questioned. "I think I +understand." + +Mrs. Baird smilingly agreed that it was, and they went through it once +more to be sure. + +"Isn't it solemn?" whispered Polly. "Look out, your ribbon's twisted." + +"Thanks; now it's all right," Lois replied. "Doesn't Louise look sweet +this morning?" she inquired as they separated to stand on either side of +the aisle. + +Polly could only nod in reply, which she did vigorously. + +The Seniors walked up slowly and took their places, and after a few last +words from Mrs. Baird, the rehearsal was over. + +Louise walked back to school between Polly and Lois. + +"I've been wondering," she began as they sauntered along the lazy +village street, "whether you two would like to come and visit me for a +while this summer. We have a big camp up in the Adirondacks, and I think +you would have a good time. How about it?" + +"Louise, you duck!" cried Polly and Lois in one breath. "We'd adore it. +Oh, what a lark!" + +"My small cousin Frances is always with us in the summer, and I'm sure +you'll get along famously together," Louise told them, smiling rather +mysteriously, and she added emphatically: "Yes, I'm _sure_ you'll get +along famously." + +For the rest of the walk up the dusty hill she described the cabin in +the heart of the woods, the funny guides, and spoke vaguely but +frequently of Frances. + +On discussing the invitation a little later after Louise had left them, +Polly exclaimed: + +"Won't it be a lark? I do hope we can go. Don't you love the idea?" + +And Lois answered slowly: + +"Yes, all except Frances. I suppose she's a nice enough girl, but I wish +she wasn't going to be there." + +"Why, we needn't pay any attention to her," Polly replied. "But let's +find Bet. We haven't seen her all day." + +They started off in search and presently found her playing with Vic (the +team's mascot had been named Victor after the Field Day game, and called +Vic for short), on the steps of the gym. + +"Hello!" she called, as she caught sight of them. "I've been wondering +where you were." + +"Why, we've been practicing with the ribbons in church," replied Polly, +forgetting that Betty had not heard of them being chosen by the Seniors. + +"You! Ribbons!" Betty was overcome with surprise. "Well, you might have +told a fellow. Jove, you are in luck!" + +"I entirely forgot you didn't know. Florence and Louise asked us last +night. Isn't it wonderful? I know I'll laugh, though," confided Lois, +"or cry." + +"Do both," advised Betty. "I'm going to make a face at you as you go +down the aisle. Stop that, Vic, you wicked monkey!" she commanded, as +the mascot made a playful dab at her hair ribbon. + +"What's to become of Vic this summer?" demanded Polly. "Somebody has to +take care of him." + +"He's ours; we found him," Betty declared. "Poor old Vic. What do you +say about it?" she added, scratching the monkey's ear. + +As they stood discussing his future, Vic noticed a familiar figure +coming down the stable road. It was Tony, one of the Seddon Hall +gardeners, and a special friend of his. He had taken care of him ever +since Field Day. + +As if to answer their question for them, the little monkey jumped from +Betty's lap, ran swiftly along the ground, and bounded to Tony's +shoulder. + +"The problem is solved," laughed Betty. "Tony will take care of him. +Tony," she called, and the Italian came up to the steps, smiling +sheepishly. + +Of course he was delighted at the idea of having Vic to himself all +summer, and promised to take the very best of care of him. + +"You leave me your address," he said, "and I write sometime how he is." + +So it was arranged. The three girls said good-by to their mascot, who +was borne away on Tony's shoulder. + +The rest of the day whizzed by on wings of excitement. Every one was +everywhere at once. Visitors arrived in carriage loads. Those who were +already there wandered through the halls trying to find the particular +girl they wanted, and time was flying. + +Uncle Roddy met Dr. and Mrs. Farwell in New York and brought them up in +his car. They were all standing in the reception-room talking to Mrs. +Baird, as Polly and Lois came down the stairs. + +"Why, there's your uncle, Polly, and he's with mother and dad," +exclaimed Lois, catching sight of the three in the doorway. + +They were soon exchanging greetings, and Polly had time to wonder why +Bob hadn't come. + +"We simply must leave you," Lois said, after they had talked for a few +minutes. "We are awfully busy. You know, we are to carry the ribbons for +the Seniors, and we have to be in church ahead of the rest." + +"We'll meet you right after the service," called Polly, as they both +disappeared down the corridor. + +"Well, that was short and sweet," laughed Uncle Roddy, looking after +them. "They're not overgenerous with their society, are they?" + +"What a darling Polly is!" Mrs. Farwell returned. "And you say she has +no other relatives besides you." + +"Not one. Isn't that a dreadful responsibility for a bachelor?" Uncle +Roddy replied. + +"Perhaps I can help you," Mrs. Farwell said. "I would love to have her +with Lois as much as possible." + +The bell for the guests to go to church interrupted their conversation, +and they went outside to find the motor. + +The Commencement exercises were a great success. The Seniors all looked +beautiful and made their relatives and friends very proud of them. Polly +and Lois managed the Ribbons without any trouble and added greatly to +the dignity of the scene. + +Once during the chaplain's short address they caught Betty's eye just as +he said "certainly not," and they almost laughed. It was a terrible +moment, but the loud "amen" that soon followed saved the day and gave +them a chance to snicker without being noticed. + +"I'll kill Bet for that," whispered Polly, as they walked sedately down +the aisle after the Seniors at the close of the service. + +But the excitement of leaving made her forget her threat, when fifteen +minutes later she and Lois and Betty met in the latter's room. + +"There, I think I've packed everything," sighed Betty. "Jemima, how I +hate to leave!" + +"'When shall we three meet again?'" quoted Lois. "Sometime this summer, +I hope." + +"It would be a lark if we could be together some of the time, wouldn't +it?" mused Polly. "Perhaps we can. Who knows?" + +"I am going down, now," announced Betty. "I want to say hello to Mr. +Pendleton. If I don't see you two again, why good-by and don't forget to +write." And she was gone. Not for worlds would she have displayed the +emotion she felt. + +Polly and Lois stole down to Senior Alley for a last good-by to Louise +and dragged her down to meet their families. Then after much kissing, +giving of addresses, shouted last messages and promises to come back, +they finally found themselves in Uncle Roddy's motor. + +They were both silent for a few minutes and their eyes were misty as +they watched the towers of Seddon Hall grow fainter and fainter, until +they entirely disappeared. + +"We'll have to say good-by to each other next," whispered Lois. + +"Don't!" answered Polly, with just a little catch in her voice. "I can't +bear to think of it, Lo." + +Then it was that they realized that Uncle Roddy was talking. + +"So," he was saying, "if Mrs. Farwell will be contented in that sleepy +old town, there's the big house at her service and the children will be +together." + +"Of course I'll be contented. It will be a wonderful summer," answered +Mrs. Farwell. + +"Capital!" spoke up the Doctor. "Roddy and I can come up for the week +ends and have some fishing." + +The two girls looked at each other in astonishment. + +"We will be together after all," exclaimed Polly excitedly. + +"But where?" Lois demanded. + +"At my old home," Polly explained. "Just to think I'll see my precious +dogs again!" + +They parted hours later, after a very happy drive spent in discussing +plans for the summer. It was parting, of course, but as Lois reminded +every one delightedly: "It was only until next week." + +That night Uncle Roddy noticed that Polly was looking very thoughtful as +she sat on the arm of his chair. + +"What's the matter, Tiddle-dy-winks?" he inquired, pulling her down on +his knee and patting her shoulder. "What are you thinking about?" + +"I'm thinking," replied Polly slowly, "how sorry I am it's all over. +It's been the happiest year of my life." + +"But that's only so far," laughed Uncle Roddy. "You've still a number of +years to come, I hope." + +"But can they ever be as happy as this one?" Polly asked. + +"If I have anything to say about it, each year will be happier than the +last, dear child, and now, good night." And Uncle Roddy gave her a +hearty kiss. + +So Polly, with Uncle Roddy's promise still ringing in her ears, fell +asleep at the close of that eventful year, not thinking regretfully of +the past, but dreaming happily of the joys to come. + +THE END + + + + +THE "POLLY" SERIES + +By Dorothy Whitehill + +Polly Pendleton is a resourceful, wide-awake American girl who goes to a +boarding school on the Hudson River some miles above New York. By her +pluck and resourcefulness, she soon makes a place for herself and this +she holds right through the course. The account of boarding school life +is faithful and pleasing and will attract every girl in her teens. + +Cloth, large 12 mo. Illustrated + + 1. POLLY'S FIRST YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL. + 2. POLLY'S SUMMER VACATION. + 3. POLLY'S SENIOR YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL. + 4. POLLY SEES THE WORLD AT WAR. + 5. POLLY AND LOIS. + 6. POLLY AND BOB. + 7. POLLY'S REUNION. + 8. POLLY'S POLLY. + 9. POLLY AT PIXIE'S HAUNT. + 10. POLLY'S HOUSE PARTY. + 11. POLLY'S POLLY AT BOARDING SCHOOL. + 12. JOYFUL ADVENTURES OF POLLY. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +Charming Stories for Girls + +THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SERIES + +By Grace Brooks Hill + +Four girls from eight to fourteen years of age receive word that a rich +bachelor uncle has died, leaving them the old Corner House he occupied. +They move into it and then the fun begins. What they find and do will +provoke many a hearty laugh. Later, they enter school and make many +friends. One of these invites the girls to spend a few weeks at a +bungalow owned by her parents, and the adventures they meet with make +very interesting reading. Clean, wholesome stories of humor and +adventure, sure to appeal to all young girls. + + 1 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS. + 2 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS AT SCHOOL. + 3 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS UNDER CANVAS. + 4 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS IN A PLAY. + 5 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS' ODD FIND. + 6 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON A TOUR. + 7 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS GROWING UP. + 8 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SNOWBOUND. + 9 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON A HOUSEBOAT. + 10 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS AMONG THE GYPSIES. + 11 CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON PALM ISLAND. + 12 THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SOLVE A MYSTERY. + 13 THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS FACING THE WORLD. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +CHICKEN LITTLE JANE SERIES + +By Lily Munsell Ritchie + +Chicken Little Jane is a Western prairie girl who lives a happy, outdoor +life in a country where there is plenty of room to turn around. She is a +wide-awake, resourceful girl who will instantly win her way into the +hearts of other girls. And what good times she has!--with her pets, her +friends, and her many interests. "Chicken Little" is the affectionate +nickname given to her when she is very, very good, but when she +misbehaves it is "Jane"--just Jane! + + Adventures of Chicken Little Jane + Chicken Little Jane on the "Big John" + Chicken Little Jane Comes to Town + Chicken Little Jane in the Rockies + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +ELIZABETH ANN SERIES + +By Josephine Lawrence + +For Girls from 7 to 12 + +Elizabeth Ann is a little girl whom we first meet on a big train, +traveling all alone. Her father and mother have sailed for Japan, and +she is sent back East to visit at first one relative's home, and then +another. Of course, she meets many new friends, some of whom she is +quite happy with, while others--but you must read the stories for +yourself. Every other girl who reads the first of these charming books +will want all the rest; for Elizabeth Ann is certainly worth the +cultivating. + + THE ADVENTURES OF ELIZABETH ANN. + ELIZABETH ANN AT MAPLE SPRING. + ELIZABETH ANN'S SIX COUSINS. + ELIZABETH ANN and DORIS. + ELIZABETH ANN'S BORROWED GRANDMA. + ELIZABETH ANN'S SPRING VACATION. + ELIZABETH ANN and UNCLE DOCTOR. + ELIZABETH ANN'S HOUSEBOAT. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +LINDA LANE SERIES + +By Josephine Lawrence + +For Girls from 12 to 15 + +Cloth, Large 12 Mo., Illustrated + +"The trouble with Linda Lane," said Mrs. Quincy, "was that she 'couldn't +get along with folks.'" As everyone knows, a girl needs friends to love +her and believe in her. It isn't to be wondered at that Linda wasn't +happy. Then little Miss Gilly came to the rooms of the Society, the only +home Linda knew, and took the girl home with her. A new life begins for +Linda, and she finds, to her surprise and delight, how to get along with +people, how to make friends, and slowly and surely how to be happy. + +Linda admires independence above all other traits of character. She has +plenty of that quality herself and she is the kind of girl who not only +cheerfully fights her own battles, but those of the weaker who cannot +defend themselves. She is "bossy," lovable, impatient and loyal, a born +manager, whose plans invariably work out to satisfactory conclusions, +and Linda has a definite plan which gradually unfolds in these books +written about her--the sort of plan only a girl without a home and +parents of her own could think of and carry to completion. Linda Lane +knows what she wants and she is willing to work and trust to her own +efforts to make her wishes come true. + + 1. LINDA LANE. + 2. LINDA LANE HELPS OUT. + 3. LINDA LANE'S PLAN. + 4. LINDA LANE EXPERIMENTS. + 5. LINDA LANE'S PROBLEMS. + 6. LINDA LANE'S BIG SISTER. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +THE "TWINS" SERIES + +By Dorothy Whitehall + +Cloth, 12 mo., Illustrated. + +Here is a sparkling new series of stories for girls--just what they will +like, and ask for more of the same kind. It is all about twin sisters, +who for the first few years in their lives grow up in ignorance of each +other's existence. Then they are at last brought together and things +begin to happen. Janet is an independent go-ahead sort of girl; while +her sister Phyllis is--but meet the twins for yourself and be +entertained. + + 1. JANET, A TWIN. + 2. PHYLLIS, A TWIN. + 3. THE TWINS IN THE WEST. + 4. THE TWINS IN THE SOUTH. + 5. THE TWINS' SUMMER VACATION. + 6. THE TWINS AND TOMMY, JR. + 7. THE TWINS AT HOME. + 8. THE TWINS' WEDDING. + 9. THE TWINS ADVENTURING. + 10. THE TWINS AT CAMP. + 11. THE TWINS ABROAD. + 12. THE TWINS A-VISITING. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +THE JOYCE PAYTON SERIES + +By + +Dorothy Whitehill + +For girls from 8 to 14 + +Between the covers of these new books will be found the most intensely +interesting cast of characters, whose adventures in school and at home +keep one guessing continually. Joyce Payton, known as "Joy" with her +knowledge of gypsy ways, is bound to become a universal favorite; there +is also Pam, her running mate, and her best chum; Gypsy Joe, the little +Romany genius, and his magical "fiddle," with which he talks to the +birds, squirrels, and in fact all of Animated Nature. Then there is +among the host of others Gloria, the city-bred cousin, a spoiled +darling; who feels like a "cat in a strange garret" when in the company +of Joy and her friends. + + 1. JOY AND GYPSY JOE. + 2. JOY AND PAM. + 3. JOY AND HER CHUMS. + 4. JOY AND PAM AT BROOKSIDE. + 5. JOY AND PAM A-SAILING. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +JUDITH AND JANE + +By Eleanore Myers Jewett + +Author of "Wonder Tales from Tibet" and "Egyptian Tales of Magic" + +Cloth, Large 12 Mo., Illustrated + +This is the story of two very different girls who became friends. They +began by being anything but friendly and Jane who was "new" found life +in school rather unpleasant. Then came the play and the mystery of the +flowers and things cleared up a bit, only to grow darker with the affair +of Alys' book. Strange that Judy, who apparently had so much to make her +happy, should be envious of Jane, who had so little! Judy, however, was +not so happy as might have been expected. As for Jane, troubles came her +way thick and fast, and with the accident as a dreadful climax to the +misunderstanding in school, it seemed as if there was nothing left for +her to cling to. But Jane found that trouble, met by a brave heart, wins +friends, and friends mean more than anything else. + +All sorts of wonderful things happened after Judith and Jane became +friends. And then the thrilling adventure that might have ended so +tragically! It was a friend again who saved the day; a stranger, a +borrowed nickel and--but that would be telling the tale. + +"Judith and Jane," to repeat, is a story of friendship, adventures, +mischief, happy play and a surprising ending, all these things, but +underneath and through them all is the story of how Judith and Jane +became friends and what came of it. + +The book contains four colored illustrations, is handsomely bound in +special cloth, with headbands. Wrapper in three colors. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +FEODORA + +By + +Eleanore Myers Jewett + +For girls from 12 to 16 + +Net $1.50 + +Judith and Jane again figure as leading characters in this story, though +the chief center of intense interest clusters about the mysterious yet +lovable Feodora. + +Feodora has a secret, in fact many secrets, around which revolve many of +the exciting happenings narrated in this story. + +The three girls are spending the summer at a girls' camp in northern +Vermont. The competitive games with a neighboring camp and the +adventures attending life in the open will hold your interest to the +end. + +Bound in extra cloth with cover stamped in gold and colored inlay. + +Four illustrations printed in two colors, wrapper in four colors. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +VIRGINIA LEE + +By + +Clara Ingram Judson + +Author of "Mary Jane Series," "Junior Cook Book," etc. + +Fourteen young pupils of the Junior High School form a Travel Club. Not +the least factor in the success of the Club is the cleverness of its +secretary, Virginia Lee. She it is whose plans and suggestions enable +the various "committees" to function properly and lead the Club to +triumphant climaxes. + +As it is quite necessary that Club have funds, the members decide to +hold a rummage sale. From the proceeds of this sale the Club purchases a +bicycle for a boy member, whose folks had met with financial reverses. + +The Club also plans a Thanksgiving dinner for the poorer element of the +town who live "down near the track." For this they use the balance of +their funds. Virginia helps to buy the turkey with ten dollars which she +wins in a contest by her efforts as an amateur photographer. + +Virginia Lee's sweet disposition, sense of fair play and gift of real +leadership are such as may be chosen as models by any girl. + +Bound in extra cloth with colored inlay on cover. + +Four illustrations. Wrapper in four colors. + +Size 5-3/8 x 7-5/8 inches. Net $1.50 + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +ALICE ANN + +By + +Clara Ingram Judson + +Author of "Virginia Lee," "Mary Jane Series," "The Junior Cook Book," +etc. + +Cloth, Large 12 mo., Illustrated + +The many readers who have found endless delight in Mrs. Hudson's books +about charming little Mary Jane will find "Alice Ann" equally +entertaining, wholesome and amusing. You who are as yet unacquainted +with the author's lively characters will thoroughly enjoy the adventures +of this girl and her many friends in the neighborhood. + +Alice Ann, Nancy, Jimmie, and Margaret have many happy times, and work +like Trojans to accomplish the tasks they have set before them. Between +picnics and school sports, their days are well filled. Then, too, they +have many plans which must be completed. + +There is not a dull moment in this book, and such is its charm that we +feel sure that Alice Ann will soon become a fast friend. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +WELCOME BARBARA + +By + +Kathleen Cooney + +For Girls from 7 to 10 + +Her name "Welcome Barbara" is explained better by Barbara herself: + +"My name's 'Welcome Barbara' but I'm called 'Welcome' most. Barbara is +for my Mamma, but my Papa says he just tacked the Welcome on front +'cause that is how I was after six boys." + +"Welcome Barbara" has the faculty of making people happy and bringing +sunshine into their hearts. She is full of cute expressions and the +intrigue in which she involves the older folks and helps them to attain +happiness is told in an admirable way in this story. It is a book that +can be read by Mothers and Fathers to the younger children and we know +that they in turn will derive as much enjoyment out of it as the younger +folks. + +"Welcome Barbara" says: "When you love folks lots you sort of want to be +hurt when you have hurted them." + +Price Net $1.00 + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +HAT MAY + +AN ENCHANTED PRINCESS + +By + +Lucy Thurston Abbott + +For girls from 8 to 14 + +NET $1.00 + +This charming story is concerned with the fortunes of a little girl whom +a whim of Fate has placed in charge of a woman and her lame husband +living on the New England coast--the Winkiepaw pair--and the woman, whom +Hat May always looks upon as a cruel ogress of her imaginary fairy +world, treats her very badly indeed. + +The story covering Hat May's doings is everything that a book for girls +between the ages of eight and fourteen should be. The characters are +skillfully drawn and true to nature; also while there is considerable +pathos connected with the ill-treatment of Hat May; so too there is +discovered in the telling an abundance of childish and delightful humor. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +The Rusty-Cats + +A story of Hat May and her friends. + +BY + +Lucy Thurston Abbott + +Author of "Hat May." + +(For Girls from 8 to 14) + +Summer has come again to Carey Hill bringing with it the "rusticators," +or, as the Carey children are called, the "rusty-cats." With them comes +happiness to Hat May the little enchanted princess, and hope of recovery +to her little crippled friend, Hank. The mystic rites of The Seven +Bloody Bones baffle prying Mrs. Winkiepaw who is forced to grant more +freedom to her slave, Hat May. The success of Ariel's wonderful play, +written especially for the Seven, buys a wheel-chair for Hank, and then +when the summer is over, and life with the ogress becomes too hard to +bear, Phin cleverly rescues Hat May and defeats the ill-tempered ogress. +Can anyone guess the beautiful word which disenchants Hat May and takes +her from her dreary and sordid existence to one of beauty and happiness? + +Price Net $1.00 + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + +PEGGY'S PRIZE CRUISE + +By Kate Dickinson Sweetser + +Author of "Mickey of the Alley," "Ten Boys from Dickens," "Ten Girls +from Dickens," etc., etc. + +The Orrville News offered as a prize a Mediterranean trip to the student +in the senior class of the Orrville High School who would write a +synopsis of a play, with a historical theme, best suited for a five reel +screen play. Paul Day wins the prize and his play has a try-out with an +all-star amateur cast, and Peggy Emmons is chosen to play the lead. + +Great preparations are made for the cruise and at last the day of +sailing arrives. Then ensue some exciting experiences for Peggy and +Paul, for Peggy's family had also decided to take the trip, to Peggy's +great joy. The cruisers visit Madeira, Algiers, Constantinople, Cairo, +Monte Carlo, etc. A good lively plot runs throughout the book, the +travel information being always linked up with the action of the story. + +There is a certain appealing heart interest in the book, for as you read +you realize that the sights have all been seen by a real person. The +author actually made the cruise, and so the story is authoritative in +every detail. Miss Sweetser's reputation as a writer of boys' and girls' +books not only assures a worth-while story but the human touch which +adds great value to her work. + +Publishers: BARSE & CO. New York, N. Y., Newark, N. J. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Polly's First Year at Boarding School, by +Dorothy Whitehill + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POLLY'S FIRST YEAR *** + +***** This file should be named 39570-8.txt or 39570-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/5/7/39570/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from images made available by the HathiTrust +Digital Library.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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