“Of course not,” answered the girls.  “We won’t turn Oakdale’s star pupil out of the gym.  Anne shall be our mascot.  As for Jessica, she is a matter of course.”

“I object,” said Miriam.  “I object seriously.”

“Object?” repeated Grace, turning in amazement to Miriam.  “Why?”

“You know that it is against all basketball rules to allow any one in the gymnasium during practice except the regular team and the subs.  If we follow our rules then we shall be certain that nothing we do reaches the ears of the juniors.  We have always made an exception of Jessica, but I don’t think we should allow any one else here.”

“And do you think that Anne Pierson would carry information?” exclaimed Grace sharply.  “Really, Miriam, you are provoking enough to try the patience of a saint.  Just as if Anne, who is the soul of honor, would do such a thing.”

An indignant murmur arose from the girls.  They were all prepared to like little Anne, although they did not know her very well.

“How can you say such things, Miriam?” cried Nora.

“I didn’t say she would,” said Miriam rather alarmed at the storm she had raised.  “But I do think it is better to be careful.  However, have it your own way.  But if we lose the game——­”

She paused.  Her judgment told her she had said enough.  If anything did happen, the blame would fall on Grace’s shoulders.

Anne, deeply hurt, tried to leave the gymnasium but the girls caught her, and brought her back again.  She shed a few tears, but soon forgot her grief in the interest of the game.

“Girls,” said Grace, as she and Nora and Jessica walked down the street that night after leaving Anne at her corner, “we must look out for Anne.  It is evident from the way Miriam acted to-day that she will never lose an opportunity to hurt Anne’s feelings.  I thought perhaps time would soften her wrath, but it looks as though she still nursed her old grudge.”

How true Grace’s words were to prove she could not at that time foresee.

“Well,” said Nora, “Anne is one of the nicest girls in Oakdale, and if Miriam knows when she’s well off she’ll mind her own business.”

The day before the game, as Grace was leaving school, she heard David’s familiar whistle and turned to see the young man hurrying toward her, a look of subdued excitement upon his face.

“I’ve been looking all over for you, Grace,” he said, as he lifted his cap to her.  “I have something to tell you.  This afternoon after school, Reddy, Hippy and I went out to the old Omnibus House.  I wanted to show the fellows some things about my machine.  While we were out there who should appear but Julia Crosby and some more of her crowd.  They were having a regular pow-wow and were in high glee over something.  We kept still because we knew if they saw us they’d descend upon us in a body.  They stayed a long time and Julia Crosby made a speech.  I couldn’t hear what she said, but it seemed to be about the proper thing, for her satellites applauded about every two minutes.  Then they got their heads together and all talked at once.  While they were so busy we skipped out without being noticed.  I thought I’d better tell you, for I have an idea they are putting up some scheme to queer you in the game to-morrow; so look out for them.”