“She was, but she isn’t,” returned Grace.  “That’s rather indefinite.  However, I’ll tell you about it as we go back.”

“She certainly can’t complain as far as looks are concerned,” said Hippy.  “She must have yards of blue ribbon that she won at baby shows when but a mere infant.”

“Attention, boys and girls,” cried Grace.  “Let us forget what has happened and have just as good a time to-night as we can.  We mustn’t spoil the party.”

“I move that we give Grace Harlowe a special round of applause for being a heroine,” cried Hippy.  “Hurrah!”

His example was quickly followed and the noise of the cheering brought people to their doors to see what the excitement was about.

“Do stop,” protested Grace.  “People will begin asking all sorts of questions.”

“Don’t interfere with our simple pleasures,” expostulated Hippy.  “Let us howl in peace.  High School yell next, please.”

By the time the party had reached the center of the town where their ways parted, the shadow cast by the near accident had almost disappeared.

By eight o’clock that evening the last guest had arrived, and the Harlowe’s hospitable home was the scene of radiant good cheer.  Mrs. Gray, enthroned in a big chair in one corner of the drawing room, was in her element, and the young folks vied with each other in doing her homage.  The sprightly old lady was never so happy as when surrounded by young folks.  She had a word or smile for each one, and the new girls who had at first felt rather timid about meeting her, were soon entirely at ease in her presence.

The greater part of the furniture had been removed from the big living room and the floor had been crashed; while a string orchestra that made a specialty of playing for parties had been hired for the pleasure of those who cared to dance.

As dancing was the chief amusement at nearly all of the young people’s parties in Oakdale, the floor was filled from the beginning of the first waltz until supper was announced.  This was served at two long tables in the dining room, Mrs. Gray occupying the seat of honor at the head of one, and Miss Thompson, who was a favorite at High School parties, the other.  There were miniature ears of corn, turkeys, pumpkins and various other favors appropriate to Thanksgiving at each one’s place.  In the center of one table stood two dolls dressed in the style of costume worn by the Pilgrim fathers and mothers.  They held a scroll between them on which was printed the Thanksgiving Proclamation.  In the center of the other table were two dolls, one dressed in football uniform, a miniature football under its arm, while the other, dressed as a High School girl, held up a blue banner with O. H. S. on it in big, white letters.

This had been Grace’s idea.  She had dressed the dolls with the idea of contrasting the first Thanksgiving with that of to-day.  There was a great craning of necks from those at the one table to see the central figures on the other, but soon every one settled down to the discussion of the dainties provided for them.