There was a shout of laughter at Hippy’s last remark.  From infancy Hippy had been the prize fat boy of Oakdale.

“It’s only seven o’clock,” said David.  I move that we hunt up the girls and have a party.  That is, if Grace is willing.”

“That will be fine,” cried Grace.

Hippy and Reddy were despatched to find Nora and Jessica.  While David took upon himself the pleasant task of going for Anne.  Tom remained with Grace.  He had a boyish admiration for this straightforward, gray-eyed girl and made no secret of his preference for her.

Inside of an hour the sound of girls’ voices outside proclaimed the fact that the boys’ mission had not been in vain.  The girls had been informed by their escorts of the afternoon’s happenings, but Grace and Tom were obliged to tell the story all over again.

“I hope Julia Crosby’s ice bath will have a subduing effect upon her,” said Nora.  “I am glad, of course, that she didn’t lose her life, but I’m not sorry she got a good ducking.  She deserved something for the way she dragged Anne into that game of crack the whip.”

“Let’s talk about something pleasant,” proposed Reddy.

“Me, for instance,” said Hippy, with a Cheshire cat grin.  “I am a thing of beauty, and, consequently, a joy forever.”

“Smother him with a sofa pillow!” commanded Tom.  “He is too conceited to live.”

Reddy seized the unfortunate Hippy by the back of the neck, while David covered the fat youth with pillows until only his feet were visible and the smothering process was carried on with great glee until Nora mercifully came to his rescue.

CHAPTER XV

A BELATED REPENTANCE

The following Monday as Grace Harlowe was about to leave the schoolroom, Julia Crosby’s younger sister, one of the freshman class, handed her a note.  It was from Julia, and read as follows: 

“Dear grace: 

“Will you come and see me this afternoon when school is over?  I have a severe cold, and am unable to be out of bed.  I have something I must say to you that cannot wait until I get back to school.

“Your sincere friend,

“Julia”

“Oh, dear!” thought Grace.  “I don’t want to go up there.  Her mother will fall upon my neck and weep, and tell me I saved Julia’s life.  I know her of old.  She’s one of the weeping kind.  I suppose it’s my duty to go, however.”

Grace’s prognostication was fulfilled to the letter.  Mrs. Crosby clasped her in a tumultuous embrace the moment she entered the hall.  Grace finally escaped from her, and was shown up to Julia’s room.

She looked about her with some curiosity.  It was a light airy room, daintily furnished.  Julia was lying on the pretty brass bed in one corner of the room.  She wore a dressing gown of pale blue eiderdown, and Grace thought she had never seen her old enemy look better.