“Don’t mention it,” replied Hippy hastily.  “I would rather become an emaciated wreck than deprive myself of your society.”

“It was simply glorious,” said Anne to Grace as they stood waiting for their carriage, “and was there ever such a nice boy as David!”

Grace pressed Anne’s hand by way of answer.  She knew that David had understood the situation and had taken care to steer Anne clear of shoals, and Grace determined that no matter what Miriam might say or do in future, for David’s sake it should be overlooked.

CHAPTER XI

A LION AT LAST

It was a week before the last borrowed decoration reposed in its original place, and fully that long before the echoes of the sophomore ball died out.  It was pronounced the most successful class function given in Oakdale for a number of years, and the sophomores felt justly proud of themselves.  Miriam Nesbit took particular pains to point out that the success of the affair was in no way due to Grace Harlowe, and many of the girls who had hitherto believed that Grace was a necessary factor in High School fun, decided that they had perhaps overrated her ability.

Grace was fully cognizant of their change of heart, and spent more than one unhappy hour over it, but outwardly she carried herself as though unaware of the many little ill-natured stabs directed toward her.  Anne, who was completely ignored, took it philosophically, her only regret being the fact that Grace had been dragged into difficulties on her account.

Thanksgiving had come and gone.  The High School boys had played their usual game of football with a neighboring school and whipped them to a standstill, David had played on the team and covered himself with glory by making a sensational touchdown.  The girl chums had worn his colors and shrieked themselves hoarse with joy over the prowess of their friend.

Miriam, secretly proud of her brother, resolved to make a like record for herself during the next basketball game, which was to take place during the following week.  She believed that it was the last touch needed to make her the avowed leader of her class.  She even dreamed that the basketball captaincy might one day be hers.  To be sure Grace had Nora on her side, and Nora was one of the regular players, but the other two players were Miriam’s faithful allies.  That made three against two, and the second team had practically declared in her favor.  Grace would have to do differently if she expected to keep the captaincy.

Meanwhile Grace was finding the captaincy of a team divided against itself anything but satisfactory.  The girls, with the exception of Nora, obeyed her orders indifferently and as though under protest.  It was almost impossible to get every member to come to practice.  Some one of them invariably stayed away.  On one occasion she spoke rather sharply to the team about it, but her earnest words were received with sullen resentment.