There was an absolute silence in the room.  The girls had a deep regard for Grace on account of her frank, open nature and love of fair play; but Miriam had her own particular friends who had respect for her on account of her being a Nesbit.  She had a faculty of obtaining her own way, too, that seemed, to them, little short of marvellous, and she spent more money than any other girl in Oakdale High School.  It was therefore difficult to choose between the two factions.

Nora broke the embarrassing pause.

“Grace is right as usual,” she said, “and none of you girls should feel offended.  What’s the use of wasting the whole afternoon quarrelling over an old basketball game?  Do talk about something pleasant.  The sophomore ball for instance.  Do you girls realize that we ought to be making some plans for it?  It’s the annual class dance, and should be welcomed, with enthusiasm.  We’ve all been so crazy over basketball that we’ve neglected to think about our class responsibilities.  We ought to try to make it a greater success than any other dance ever given by a sophomore class.  We must call a meeting very soon, not to fight over basketball, but to make arrangements for our dance.”

Nora’s reminder of the coming ball was a stroke of diplomacy on her part.

What school girl does not grow enthusiastic over a class dance?  A buzz of conversation immediately arose as to gowns, decorations, refreshments and the thousand and one things all important to a festivity of that kind.

Miriam seeing that it was useless to try to raise any further disturbance, cut her call short, taking with her several girls who were her staunch upholders.

Those who remained did not seem sorry at her departure, and Grace drew a breath of relief as the door closed upon the wilful girl.  She had at least saved Anne from a cruel attack, but how much longer she could do so was a question.  Miriam would undoubtedly bring up the subject at the first class meeting, and Grace was not so sure, now, that the girls would be willing to overlook the loss of the signals when she told them of it.

“I shall be loyal to Anne, no matter what it costs me,” she decided.  “She has done nothing wrong, and Miriam will find that she cannot trample upon either of us with impunity.  As for Jessica and Nora, I know they will agree with me.”

Under cover of conversation, Grace whispered to Jessica that she wished her to remain after the others had gone, and to ask Nora and Anne to do the same.

When the last of the callers had said good-bye, and the four chums had the room to themselves, Grace told Nora and Jessica about Anne’s mishap, and how utterly innocent of blame she was.

“Do you mean to tell me that Miriam meant Anne when she said she could name the girl?” demanded Nora.

“She did, indeed,” replied Anne, “and if it had not been for Grace she would have made things very unpleasant for me.”