It was David, after all, who had been instrumental in holding up the mirror so that his stubborn sister could see herself as others saw her.  Although she had quarreled frequently with him, she had secretly respected his high standard of honor and fine principles.  The fear that he despised her utterly had brought her face to face with herself at last.

“Anne has always wanted to be friends with you, Miriam,” Grace said earnestly as they neared the Nesbit home.  You and I used to play together when we were little girls in the grammar school.  It’s only since we started High School that this quarreling has begun.  Let’s put it all aside and swear to be friends, tried and true, from now on?  You can be a great power for good if you choose.  We all ought to try to set up a high standard, for the sake of those who come after.  Then Oakdale will have good reason to be proud of her High School girls.

They had reached the gate.

Miriam turned and stretched out a hand to each girl.  There was a new light in her eyes.  “My dear, dear friends,” she said softly.

A shrill whistle broke in upon this little love feast and the three girls looked up.  David was hurrying down the walk, his face aglow.

“I whistled to attract your attention.  I was afraid you girls would go before I could reach you.  Mother wants you girls to come in for dinner.  She saw you from the window.  Don’t say you can’t, for I’m going to call on the Piersons and Harlowes right now and inform them that their daughters are dining out to-night.  So hurry along now, for mother’s waiting for you.”

A minute later he had mounted his motorcycle and was off down the street, going like the wind.

The girls entered the house and were warmly greeted by Mrs. Nesbit.  She and David had viewed the little scene from the window.  She had deeply deplored Miriam’s attitude toward Grace and her chums.  It was with delight that she and David had watched the three girls stop at the gate and clasp hands.  She therefore hurried her son out to the girls to offer them her hospitality.

Anne had never before entered the Nesbit home.  She thought it very beautiful and luxurious.  Miriam put forth every effort to be agreeable, and the time passed so rapidly that they were surprised when dinner was announced.

After dinner, Miriam, who was really a brilliant performer for a girl of her age, played for them.  Anne, who was a music-hungry little soul, listened like one entranced.  David, seeing her absorption, beckoned to Grace, who stole softly out of the room without being observed.

Once out in the hall the two young people did a sort of wild dance to express their feelings.

“You are the best girl a fellow ever knew,” said David in a whisper.  “How did you do it?”

“I’ll tell you some other time,” whispered Grace, who had cautioned the girls to say nothing of the adventure for fear of frightening Miriam’s mother.  “Let’s go back before they notice we’re gone.”