Miss Thompson paused.  Nora cast a significant look toward Jessica, who sat directly opposite her, while Julia Crosby fidgeted nervously in her seat, and felt suddenly ill at ease.

“Good-natured rivalry between classes,” continued Miss Thompson, “has always been encouraged, but ill-natured trickery is to be deplored.  A matter has come to my ears which makes it necessary for me to put down with an iron hand anything resembling such an evil.

“You are all aware that I have been very willing to grant the use of the gymnasium to the various teams for basketball practice, and have tried to divide up the time as evenly as possible.  Two days ago I gave the members of the sophomore team permission to use the gymnasium for practice.  No other team had any right whatever to disturb them, yet I understand that another team did commit that breach of class etiquette, drove the rightful possessors from the room and occupied it for the remainder of the afternoon.  The report brought to me says that the young women of the sophomore team conducted themselves with dignity during a most trying situation.”

Miss Thompson turned suddenly toward the junior section.

“The members of the junior basketball team will please rise,” she said sternly.

There was a subdued murmur throughout the section, then one after another, with the exception of Julia Crosby, the girls rose.

“Miss Crosby,” said the principal in a tone that brooked no delay, “rise at once!  I expect instant obedience from every pupil in this school.”

Julia sulkily rose to her feet.

“Miss Crosby,” continued Miss Thompson, “are you not the captain of the junior team?”

“Yes,” answered Julia defiantly.

“Did you go to Professor Cole for permission to use the gymnasium last Thursday?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you not come to me?”

Julia hung her head and made no reply.

“I will tell you the reason, Miss Crosby,” said the principal.  “You already knew that permission had been granted the sophomore team, did you not?”

“Yes,” said Julia very faintly.

“Very well.  You are guilty of two serious misdemeanors.  You purposely misrepresented matters to Professor Cole and deliberately put aside my authority; not to mention the unwomanly way in which you behaved toward the sophomore team.  Every girl who aided and abetted you in this is equally guilty.  Therefore you will all learn and recite to me an extra page in history every day for two weeks.  The use of the gymnasium will be prohibited you for the same length of time, and if such a thing ever again occurs, the culprits will be suspended without delay.  You may be seated.”

The dazed juniors sank limply into their seats.  The tables had been turned upon them with a vengeance.  A page of history a day was bad enough, but the loss of the gymnasium privilege was worse.  The opening game was only two weeks off, and they needed practice.