The money contributed by the classes had been used to good advantage by Grace and Julia, and piles of tempting eatables gladdened the eyes of the guests.

For the next half hour feasting was in order.  Juniors and sophomores shared cups; as the supply of these were limited.  At the end of that time the last crumb of food had disappeared and the girls stood in groups or walked about the field, discussing the various features of school life.

Some one proposed playing old-fashioned games, and soon “puss in the corner,” “pom-pom-pull-away,” and “prisoner’s goal” were in full swing.

“This brings back one’s Grammar School days, doesn’t it?” said Nora to Grace.  They were deep in a game of prisoner’s goal, and stood for a moment waiting for the enemy to move toward them.

“I haven’t had such a good, wholesale romp for ages,” answered Grace, and was off like the wind to intercept Eva Allen as she endeavored to make a wide detour of their goal.

The hours slipped by on wings.

The start home was made about five o’clock.  The juniors and sophomores trooped back to Oakdale arm in arm, singing school songs and making the welkin ring with their joyous laughter.

The people of Oakdale smiled at the procession of happy girls and wondered what particular celebration was in order.

When the center of town was reached the party broke up with a great deal of laughing and chattering, the girls going their separate ways in the best of spirits.

“I’ve had a perfectly fine time,” declared Grace, as she said good-bye to her chums, “and how glad I am that we are all friends again.”

She quite forgot when she made that statement that Miriam Nesbit had not honored the reunion with her presence.

CHAPTER XVIII

AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR

One more excitement was to quicken the pulses of the sophomores before they settled down to that long last period of study between Easter holidays and vacation.

The great, decisive basketball game with the juniors was now to take place.

Grace, in conclave with her team, had gone over her instructions for the hundredth time.  They had discussed the strong points of the juniors and what were their own weak ones.

Miriam Nesbit was sullen at these meetings; but in the practice game she had played with her usual agility and skill, so the girls felt that she was far too valuable a member of the team for them to mind her humors.

“Everybody is coming to-morrow to see us play,” exclaimed Nora in the locker-room, at the recess on Friday.  “I don’t believe the President’s visit would create more excitement, really,” she added with a touch of pride.

“Did you know,” interposed Anne, “that the upperclass girls are calling Grace and Julia Crosby ’David and Jonathan’?”

This was also an amusing piece of news at which the other girls laughed joyously.  In fact, there was no such feeling of depression before this game as had affected the class when the first game was played.  The sophomores were cheerful and confident, awaiting the great battle with courage in their hearts.