“I dislike the term ‘finishing school,’” she had once said.  “I try to teach my girls that what they learn in school fits them for beginning life.”

So from seven to half-past eight every night, except Friday, the pupils at Shadyside were busy with their books.  They might study in their rooms, provided their marks for the preceding week were satisfactory, but those who fell below a certain percentage were sentenced to prepare their lessons in the study hall under the eye of a teacher.

The second Friday night of the term the new students were warned by little pink cocked notes to remain in their rooms after dinner until they had been inspected by the “Mysterious Four.”

“It’s a secret society,” Bobby announced the moment she had read her note.  “Well, let’s go upstairs and prepare to be inspected.”

The eight gathered in Betty and Bobby’s room, and though they were expecting it, the knock, when it finally did come, made them all jump.

“Come—­come in,” stammered Betty and Bobby together.

Four veiled figures entered, each carrying something in her hand.  They spoke in disguised voices, though as they were upper classmen they were fairly safe from recognition; the new girls were hardly acquainted among themselves and knew few of the older students by name.

“Freshmen,” said the tallest figure, “when we enter, rise.”

The eight leaped to their feet at a bound.

“Do you wish to become members of the Mysterious Four?” demanded the second figure.

“Oh, yes,” chorused the willing victims.

“It is well,” chanted the third figure.

“It is well,” echoed the fourth.

“I don’t,” said Libbie calmly.

“Don’t what?” questioned the tallest figure, evidently appointed chief spokesman.

“Want to be a member of the Mysterious Four,” announced Libbie, who had an obstinate streak in her make-up.

“Unfortunately,” the spokesman informed her, “you haven’t any choice in the matter; you’re elected one already.”

While Libbie was thinking up an answer, which considering the finality of that statement, was not an easy matter, the tall draped figure went on to explain to the interested girls that there were two degrees to be undergone before one could be a full fledged member of the Mysterious Four.

“You must take the first degree to-night,” they were told.  “The second will be several weeks later.”

“Are we allowed to ask a question?” asked Betty respectfully.

“Oh, yes.  But we may not answer it,” was the cheering response.

“Why is the society called the ’Mysterious Four’?” asked Betty “All the freshman class received notes, so the membership must be large; where does the four enter?”

“You’ll learn that at the close of your first degree,” said the spokesman with firm kindness.  “Now you’re to remain here for five minutes, and then go down to the study hall.  Five minutes, remember.”