“A new declaration of independence has evidently been signed,” she jeered.  “Too bad, isn’t it, Miss Harlowe?  You’ll have to begin all over again on some one else.”

“I am not likely to trouble you, at any rate, Miss Gaines,” returned Grace pointedly.

This time the laugh was at Virginia’s expense.  A dull flush overspread her plain face.  Her angry eyes met Grace’s steady gray ones, then fell before the honest contempt she read there.  During that brief instant she saw herself through Grace’s eyes and the sharp retort that rose to her lips remained unuttered.

In the next instant Grace was sorry for her rude retort.  It would have been far better to remain silent, she reflected.  By answering she had shown Virginia that the latter’s taunt had annoyed her.

“I wish I hadn’t answered Miss Gaines,” she confided to Miriam as they were leaving the dining room.  “It doesn’t add to one’s freshman dignity to quarrel.”

“I am glad you did,” returned Miriam.  “It was a well-merited snub, and she deserved it.”

CHAPTER XV

GREETING OLD FRIENDS

To spend their brief holiday with the Southards was the next best thing to going home, in the opinion of the Oakdale girls.  Mr. Southard met them at the station with his automobile, and a twenty minutes’ drive brought them to the Southard home.  Miss Southard met them at the door with welcoming arms.  She was particularly delighted to see Anne, for the few weeks Anne had spent in their house had endeared her to the Southards and made them wish her their “little sister” in reality rather than by fond adoption.

“What shall we do after dinner to-night?” asked Miss Southard, as she showed her guests to their rooms after the first affectionate greetings had been exchanged.  “Everett, as you know, is appearing as Hamlet, and wishes you to see him in the part.  However, he has engaged a box for us for to-morrow night.  To-night we will go to some other theatre if you wish.”

“To tell you the truth,” replied Anne, slipping her hand into that of the older woman, “we’d rather spend the evening quietly with you.  That is, unless you care particularly about our going out.”

Miss Southard’s face revealed her pleasure at this announcement.  “Would you really?” she asked.  “I should like to have you girls to myself rather than go to the theatre, but I supposed you would prefer seeing a successful play to staying at home with me.”

“Nothing could drag us from the house after that confession,” laughed Grace.  “For my part I think it would be much nicer to stay at home.  We have so much to tell you.”

Dinner was a merry meal.  Mr. Southard, who in the meantime had come in from the theatre, became so absorbed in the conversation of his young guests that both he and his sister forgot the time.  The entrance into the dining room of James, his valet, with his hat and coat, and the warning words, “Ten minutes past seven, sir,” caused him to spring from his chair, glance at his watch with a rueful smile, and hurry out to where his car stood waiting for him.