Just then the whistle blew, and there was a scramble for places.  This time Julia Crosby won the toss-up, and followed it up with a field goal.  Then the seniors scored twice on fouls, tying the score.  The juniors set their teeth and waded in with all their might and main, setting a whirlwind pace that caused their fans to shout with wild enthusiasm and fairly dazed their opponents.  Grace alone netted four foul goals, and the sensational playing of Nora and Miriam was a matter of wonder to the spectators, who conceded it to be the fastest, most brilliant half ever played by an Oakdale team.  The game ended with the score 15 to 6 in favor of the juniors, whose loyal supporters swooped down upon them the moment the whistle blew and pranced about, whooping like savages.

“That was the greatest game I ever saw played under this roof,” cried David, wringing Grace’s hand, while Hippy hopped about, uttering little yelps of joy.  Reddy circled about the victors almost too delighted for words.  He was filled with profound admiration for them.

“The boys’ crack team couldn’t have played a better game,” he said solemnly, and the girls knew that he could pay them no higher compliment, for this team was considered invincible by the High School boys.

“Perhaps we’ll challenge you some day, Reddy,” said Grace mischievously.

“I believe you’d win at that,” he said so earnestly that every one laughed.

“It was a great triumph,” said Jessica proudly, as she stood with Mabel and Anne in the locker-room while the girls resumed street clothing.  “And my new howl was a success, too.”

“Glad to know that,” said Grace.  “There were so many different kinds of noises I couldn’t distinguish it.”

“There was one noise that started that was promptly hushed,” said Anne.  “You heard it, too, didn’t you Jessica?”

“Oh, yes, girls, I intended telling you before this,” replied Jessica.  “Just before the last half started, Miss Thompson and Miss Kane came in and walked to the other end of the gallery.  Well, Eleanor and her crowd saw them, and what do you suppose they did?”

“Hard to tell,” said Nora.

“They hissed Miss Thompson.  Very softly, you may be sure,” continued Jessica, “but it was hissing, just the same.  For a wonder, she didn’t hear it, but every girl in the junior class did.  They were sitting down front on the same side as Eleanor’s crowd.  You know what a temper Ruth Deane has and how ferocious she can look?  Well, the minute she heard it she went back there like a flash, looking for all the world like a thunder cloud.  She talked for a moment to Edna and Eleanor.  They tossed their heads, but they didn’t hiss any more.”

“What did Ruth say to them?” asked Grace curiously.  “It must have been something remarkable, or they wouldn’t have subsided so suddenly.”

“It was,” giggled Jessica.  “She told them that if they didn’t stop it instantly, the juniors would pick them up bodily, carry them downstairs to the classroom and lock them in until the game was over.”