“She’s fine,” declared Ann Hicks, when they were outside again.  “I can get along with her.  But how about the girls?”

“They’ll be nice to you, too—­after a bit.  Of course, everybody new has to expect some hazing.  Thank your stars that you won’t have to be put through the initiation of the marble harp,” and she pointed to a marble figure in the tiny Italian garden in the middle of the campus.

When Ann wanted to know what that meant, Ruth repeated the legend as all new girls at Briarwood must learn it.  But Ruth and her friends had long since agreed that no other nervous or high-strung girl was to be hazed, as she and Helen had been, when they first came to the Hall.  So the ceremony of the marble harp was abolished.  It has been described in the former volume of this series, “Ruth Fielding at Briarwood Hall.”

The two went back to the dormitory that had become like home to Ruth.  Miss Picolet, the little French teacher, beckoned them into her study.  “I must be the good friend of your good friend, too, Miss Fielding,” she said, and shook hands warmly with Ann.

The matron of the house had already opened and aired the large room next to that which had been so long occupied by The Fox and her chums.  The eight girls made the corridor ring with laughter and shouts while they were getting settled.  The trunks had arrived from Lumberton and Helen and Ruth were busy decorating the big room which they were to share in the future with the lame girl and Ann Hicks.

There were two wide beds in it; but each girl had her own dressing case and her locker and closet There were four windows and two study tables.  It was a delightful place, they all agreed.

“Hush! tell it not in Gath; whisper it not in Ascalon!” hissed The Fox, peering into the room.  “You girls have the best there is.  It’s lots bigger than our quartette——­”

“Oh, I don’t think so.  Only a ‘teeny’ bit larger,” responded Ruth, quickly.

“Then it’s Heavy that takes up so much space in our room.  She dwarfs everything.  However,” said the red-haired girl, “you can have lots more fun in here.  Shove back everything against one wall, roll up the rugs, and then we can dance.”

“And have Picolet after us in a hurry,” observed Helen, laughing.

“Barefoot dancing is still in vogue,” retorted The Fox.  “Helen can play her violin.”

“After retiring bell?  No, thanks!” exclaimed Ruth’s chum.  “I am to stand better in my classes this half than last spring or Monsieur Pa-pa will have something to say to me.  He doesn’t often preach; but that black-haired brother of mine did better last term than I did.  Can’t have that.”

“They’re awfully strict with the boys over at Seven Oaks,” sighed Heavy, who was chewing industriously as she talked, sitting cross-legged on the floor.

“What are you eating, Heavy?” demanded Belle, suddenly.

“Some of those doughnut holes, I bet!” giggled Lluella.  “They must be awful filling, Heavy.”