“Of course not,” laughed Grace.  “Don’t worry.  We’ll support you, only you must agree to do all the talking.”

“I shall endeavor to overcome their insane freshness with a few well-chosen words,” Julia promised.  “Be sure and be on hand early.”

Grace chose Anne, Nora, Jessica and Marian Barber, the latter three being considerably mystified at her request, but nevertheless agreeing to be on hand when school closed.  They were met at the gate by Julia and four other seniors, and the whole party set out for the Omnibus House without delay.

Grace walked with Julia, and the two girls found plenty to say to each other during the walk.  Julia was studying hard, she told Grace.  She wanted to enter Smith next year.

“I don’t know where I shall go after I finish High School,” said Grace.  “Ethel Post wants me to go to Wellesley.  She’ll be a junior when I’m a freshman.  You know, she was graduated from High School last June and she could help me a lot in getting used to college.  But I don’t know whether I should like Wellesley.  I shall not try to decide where I want to go for a while yet.”

“Wherever we are we’ll write and always be friends,” said Julia, and Grace warmly acquiesced.

As they neared the old Omnibus House they could see no one about.

“We’re early!” exclaimed Julia.  “The enemy has not arrived.  Thank goodness, it’s not cold to-day or we might have a chilly vigil.  Now listen, all ye faithful, while I set forth the object of this walk.”  She thereupon related what Grace and Anne already knew.

“What a shame!” cried Marian Barber.  “It isn’t the hatchet we care for, it’s the principle of the thing.  Give them what they deserve, Julia.”

“Never fear,” replied Julia.  “I’ll effectually attend to their case.  Now we’d better dodge around the corner and keep out of sight until they get here.  Then we’ll swoop down upon them unawares.”

The avengers hurriedly concealed themselves at the side of the old house where they could not be seen by an approaching party.

They had not waited long before they heard voices.

“They’re coming,” whispered Julia.  “There are eight of them.  Form in line and when they get nicely started, we’ll circle about them and hem them in.  I’ll give you the signal.”

The girls waited in silence.  “They have trowels,” Julia informed them from time to time.  “They have a spade.  They’ve begun to dig, and they are having their own troubles, for the ground is hard.  All ready!  March!”

Softly the procession approached the spot where the marauders were energetically digging.  Grace gave a little gasp, and reaching back caught Anne’s hand.

The girl using the spade was Eleanor.

“Now I’m in for it,” groaned Grace.  “She’s down on me now, and she’ll be sure to think I organized the whole thing.”  For an instant Grace regretted making the promise to Julia, before learning the situation; then, holding her head a trifle more erect, she decided to make the best of her unfortunate predicament.