CHAPTER X

THE MAKING OF THE TEAM

Saturday dawned clear and sunshiny.  It was an ideal autumn day, and luncheon at Wayne Hall was eaten rapidly.  Everyone was eager to give an opinion regarding the basketball try out, and with one or two exceptions each girl cherished the secret hope of making the team.  Anne was one of the exceptions.  She had no basketball yearnings.  She was ready and willing to be an enthusiastic and loyal fan, but aside from walking and dancing she had no desire to take an active part in college sports.  She was extremely proud of Miriam’s and Grace’s fine playing, however, and never doubted for an instant that both girls would make the team.  “I’m sure you and Miriam will be chosen,” she asserted to Grace, as the latter stood before her mirror, viewing herself in her new felt walking hat, that had arrived that morning.

The two friends had run up to their room after luncheon to hurry into their coats and hats, preparatory to going to Exeter Field.  Anne eyed Grace admiringly.  “Your new hat is so becoming,” she said.

“I think yours is ever so pretty, too,” returned Grace.  “It looks like new.  No one would know that you bought it last season.  You take such good care of your clothes, Anne.  I wish I could take as good care of mine.  I hang them up and keep them in repair, but somehow they just wear out all at once.”

“Don’t stop to mourn over wearing out your clothes on this gala day,” laughed Miriam Nesbit, who had appeared in the open door in time to hear Grace’s plaintive assertion.  She was wearing a becoming suit of blue and a blue hat to match.

“Where’s Elfreda?” asked Grace.  “She’s going, too, isn’t she?”

Miriam nodded, then said slyly, “If she ever gets ready.”

Just then an anguished voice called out, “Miriam, please come back.  That pin you fastened in the back of my waist is sticking me and I can’t reach it.”

Miriam flew to the rescue, smothering an involuntary laugh as she ran.  Five minutes later she and Elfreda, in a new brown suit and hat, wearing the expression of a martyr, joined Grace and Anne on the veranda, and the four set out for Exeter Field.

“I’m not going to talk about certain things to-day, Grace, but did you notice that all the girls at our table were as nice with you as ever?” said Anne in a low tone.

“Yes; I noticed it,” returned Grace.  “If they continue to be the same, I shall think that we have been making a mountain of a molehill.”

“Look at that crowd ahead of us,” called Miriam.

A veritable procession of girls wound its way up the hilly street to Exeter Field.  There were big girls and little girls, all talking and laughing happily, until the still October air rang with the sound of their gay, young voices.  The majority of them were well-dressed, although here and there might be seen a last year’s hat or coat that no one seemed to notice or to mind.  Overton had a reputation for democracy in spite of the fact that most of its students came from homes where there was no lack of money.