The diplomas were presented, and the freshman prize given out.  It was won by a shy-looking little girl with big, pleading, brown eyes.  Grace watched her closely as she walked up to receive it and resolved to find out more about her.

“She looks as though she needed friends,” was her mental comment.

Anne, too, felt drawn toward the slender little girl.  She recalled her freshman commencement and her total collapse after the race had been won.

“I hope that little girl has friends as good and true as mine,” she whispered to Grace.

“Don’t you think she looks lonely?” Grace asked.

“She surely does,” returned Anne.  “Let’s find out all about her.”

“Done,” Grace replied.

As soon as the exercises were over the young people hurried over to where Tom Gray and his aunt stood talking with friends.

“Well, well,” sighed the old lady joyously, “here are all my own children.  I am so glad to see you.  I understand that I am too late with my invitation for an after gathering.  Miriam has forestalled me,” she added, placing her arm around Miriam, whose face glowed with pleasure at the caress.

“She has invited me, too, so I am not to complain.  As many as there are room can ride in my carriage.  The rest will have go in Tom’s.”

“Tom’s?” was the cry, “When did he acquire a carriage?”

“Come and see it,” was Tom’s reply.

They all trooped out, Hippy leading the van.

“I wish to be the first to look upon the miracle,” he cried.

“It’s a peach,” he shouted, as the others came up, and he was right.

“O Tom, isn’t it great?” Grace exclaimed.

Directly in front of Mrs. Gray’s carriage stood a handsome Packard car.

“Aunt Rose gave it to me, to-day,” he explained, his face glowing.  “It has been waiting a week for me.  Come on, everybody, and we’ll get up steam and fly to Nesbit’s.”

Of course every one wanted to ride in the new car.  David and Anne decided, however, to go with Mrs. Gray, and with a honk! honk! the automobile was off.

The Nesbit home was ablaze with light.  Mrs. Nesbit stood in the wide hall waiting to receive Miriam’s guests.

“The first thing to do is to find food,” declared David, leading the way to the dining room.

The whole party exclaimed with admiration at the tastefully decorated table.  A huge favor pie in the shape of a deep red rose ornamented the center, the ribbons reaching to each one’s place.  There were pretty, hand-painted place cards, too, tied with red and gold, the sophomore colors.

Mrs. Gray occupied the place of honor at the head of the table.  She was fairly overflowing with happiness and good cheer, as she beamed on first one and then another of her children.

The young people did ample justice to the delicious repast served them.  The favor pie created much amusement, as the favors were chosen to suit the particular personality of each guest.  After every one had finished eating, a season of toasts followed.