“I hope so,” replied Anne.  “We seem to be rather slow about making friends here at Overton; that is, among the freshmen.  We really know more upper class girls, don’t we?”

“Yes,” assented Grace.  “But after to-night things will be different.”

It was only a few minutes’ walk to Morton House and the four girls enjoyed the brief stroll.

“I wonder if we’re too early,” said Grace, consulting her watch.  “It lacks three minutes of being half-past seven.  That’s Morton House, isn’t it?” pointing at the substantial brick house just ahead of them.  The little party climbed the stone steps.  Miriam rang the bell.  Almost instantly the door opened and Gertrude Wells smilingly ushered them into the hall.  “So glad you have come,” she said.  “All the other girls are here.”

“We need not have been afraid of being too early, then,” laughed Grace.

“Hardly,” smiled Gertrude, “the majority of us live here.  There are twenty freshmen in this house, and we invited ten more from outside.  Thirty girls in all, but the living room is large enough to hold us, and Mrs. Kane doesn’t mind if we make a good deal of noise.  Come upstairs to my room and take off your wraps.  Then we’ll join the crowd.”  A little later they followed their hostess downstairs to the big living room, that seemed fairly overflowing with girls.  The buzz of conversation ceased as they entered.  Gertrude introduced them one after another to the assembled crowd of young women, who received them with varying degrees of cordiality.

Anne’s observant eyes noted that one group of girls in the corner barely acknowledged the introduction.  She also noted that the two freshmen whose conversation she had overheard at the reception formed the center of that group.  The four girls found seats at one end of the room and the conversation began again louder than ever.  Grace and Miriam found themselves surrounded by half a dozen girls who were eager to know where they had learned to play basketball.  Elfreda espied two freshmen who recited history in the same class with her and was soon deep in conversation with them.  Anne, being left to her own devices, sat quietly watching the throng of animated faces around her.  With her, the study of faces was a favorite pastime, and she furtively watched the little knot of girls, whose lack of cordiality had been so noticeable to her.

They were carrying on a low-toned conversation among themselves, and by the frequent glances that were being cast first in the direction of Grace, then Elfreda, Anne knew that the story of Elfreda’s report to the registrar was being talked over.  Anne felt her anger rising.  Why should Grace be made to suffer for Elfreda’s mistake, and why should Elfreda have her freshman year spoiled on account of that mistake.  Of course, no one liked a tale bearer, but Elfreda would never again tell tales.  Besides, why should the freshmen undertake to champion the cause of two sophomores, unless the latter had entirely misrepresented things?