Picking up her pen, Eleanor wrote rapidly for a brief space, underlined what she had written, signed her name with a flourish, and, folding and addressing her note, sent it to Grace.

Rather surprised at receiving an answer so quickly, Grace unfolded the note.  Then she colored, looked grave and, putting the note in the back of the text-book she was holding, went on studying.

By the time school was over for the day, the girls of the Phi Sigma Tau knew that Eleanor had once more repudiated their overtures of friendship and were curious to see what she had written.

“Don’t keep us in suspense.  Let us see what she wrote,” exclaimed Nora O’Malley as the seven girls crossed the campus together.

“Here it is,” said Grace, handing Nora the note.

Nora eagerly unfolded the paper and the girls crowded around, reading over her shoulder, Grace walking a little apart from them.  Then Nora read aloud: 

          “Tothe Phi Sigma Tau: 

“Your kind appreciation of my conduct in the matter of apology is really remarkable, coupled with the fact that your inability to refrain from discussing my personal affairs with Mrs. Gray forced this recent humiliation upon me.  To ask me to return to your society is only adding insult to injury.  I am not particularly surprised at this, however.  It merely proves you to be greater hypocrites than you at first seemed.

“EleanorSavell.”

“Well, of all things!” exclaimed Marian Barber.  “Grace Harlowe, if you ever attempt to conciliate her again, I’ll disown you.”

“What does she mean by saying that we discussed her affairs with Mrs. Gray?” cried Jessica impatiently.  “We have always tried to put her best side out to dear Mrs. Gray, and you all know it.”

“The best thing to do,” said Anne, smiling a little, “is to tell Mrs. Gray all about it.  We might as well live up to the reputation Eleanor has thrust upon us.  It isn’t pleasant to admit that we have failed with Eleanor, but it isn’t our fault, at any rate.  I am going there this afternoon.  I’ll tell her.”

“May I go with you, Anne?” asked Grace.

“You know I’d love to have you,” Anne replied.

“As long as I was the first to agree to look out for Eleanor, I have decided I had better be with you at the finish,” said Grace, as the two girls walked slowly up the drive.

“The finish?” asked Anne.  “Why do you say that, Grace?”

“You’ve heard about the last straw that broke the camel’s back, haven’t you?” asked Grace.  “Well, Eleanor’s note is the last straw.  I know I said that once before, and I broke my word.  I don’t intend to break it again, however.  I am going to ask Mrs. Gray to release me from my promise.”

CHAPTER XVIII

THE PLAY’S THE THING

Excitement ran high in the three lower classes one morning in early February when Miss Thompson requested that those interested in the production of a Shakespearian play go to the library directly after school, there to discuss the situation.