The girls laughed at Nora’s remark.

“Now I can go on planning for our big game without being afraid that the girls will stay away from practice and do things to annoy and make it hard for me,” said Grace happily.  “I know that we shall win.  I feel so full of enthusiasm I don’t know what to do.  Oh, girls, I forgot to tell you that Julia Crosby and I have a perfectly splendid plan.  But I promised not to say anything to anyone about it until she comes back to school.”

“How funny it sounds to hear you talk about having plans with Julia Crosby,” said Jessica laughing.  “You will make Miriam Nesbit jealous if you take Julia away from her.”

“By the way, girls!” exclaimed Nora, “what became of Miriam?  I saw her enter the locker-room, but she wasn’t there when Marian Barber began her speech.  I know she did not remain, because I looked for her and couldn’t find her.”

“I saw her go,” said Grace quietly, “That is the only part of this story that doesn’t end well.  She doesn’t like Anne or me any better than before and never will, I’m afraid.  She influenced the girls against us, after the first game, and you remember what she said at the basketball meeting, don’t you, Nora?”

“Yes,” responded Nora, “I do, and if she hadn’t been David’s sister I would have told her a few plain truths, then and there.”

“I said at the beginning of the year that I believed Miriam had a better self,” said Grace thoughtfully.  “I still believe it, and I am not going to give her up yet.”

“I don’t envy you the task of finding it,” said Jessica.

“I wonder what Marian Barber’s motto is?” mused Anne.  “She said it would be a good one.”

“I have no doubt of that.  Marian Barber doesn’t usually do things by halves when once she starts,” said Jessica.  “I am surprised that she ever allowed herself to be drawn into Miriam’s net.  She seems awfully sorry for it now.”

“Oh, girls,” cried Nora suddenly.  “I have a half a dollar.”

“Really?” said Jessica.  “I didn’t suppose there was that much money in Oakdale.”

“My sister gave it to me this morning,” Nora went on, ignoring Jessica’s remark.  “I am supposed to buy a new collar with it, but if you are thirsty——­”

“I am simply perishing with thirst,” murmured Grace.

Five minutes later the four girls were seated in the nearest drug store busily engaged with hot chocolate, while they congratulated Nora on having spent her money in a good cause.

The sophomores smiled to themselves next morning at Marian’s motto.  It hung in a prominent place in the locker-room and read:  “An ounce of loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness.”

CHAPTER XVII

BURYING THE HATCHET

It was some days before Julia Crosby was able to return to school, but when she did put in an appearance, she lost no time in taking her class in hand and bringing about a much-needed reform.  The part played by Grace Harlowe in Julia’s rescue had been related by her to various classmates who had visited her during her illness, and Grace found that the older girls were inclined to lionize her more than she cared to be.  She received praise enough to have completely turned her head had she not been too sensible to allow it to do so.