When the last good-byes had been said and the girls were comfortably settled for the afternoon’s ride that lay before them they were forced to admit that they were just a little tired.

“We have had a perfectly wonderful holiday,” asserted Grace, “and the Southards are the most hospitable people in the world, but it seems as though I’d never make up my lost sleep.  I shall become a rabid advocate of the half-past ten o’clock rule for the next week at least.  I wonder how the boys spent Thanksgiving.  Of course they went to the football game.  I’ll warrant Hippy ate too much.”

“I wish Jessica and Nora could have been with us,” remarked Anne.  “Miss Southard wrote them, too, but they couldn’t come.  Did you see Nora’s telegram?”

“Yes,” replied Grace.  “It said a letter would follow.  I suppose she’ll explain in that.  Well, it’s back to college again for us.  I wonder if Elfreda has moved.”

“We shall know in due season,” returned Miriam grimly.  “I have visions of the appearance of my hapless room, if she has vacated it.  I expect to see my best beloved belongings scattered to the four corners or else piled in a heap in the middle of the floor.”

“Perhaps she has thought it over and come to the conclusion that there are worse roommates than you,” suggested Anne hopefully.

The early winter darkness was falling when the three girls hurried up the stairs at Wayne Hall as fast as the weight of their suit cases would permit.  Miriam’s door was closed.  She knocked on it, at first softly, then with more force.  Hearing no sound from within she turned the knob, flung open the door and stepped inside.  Striking a match, she lighted the gas and looked about her.  The room was in perfect order, but no vestige of Elfreda’s belongings met her eye.  The stout girl had kept her word.

CHAPTER XVII

CHRISTMAS PLANS

The month of December seemed interminably long to Grace Harlowe.  Since her visit to the Southards the longing to be at home remained with her.  She hung a little calendar at the head of her bed and every night marked off one day with an air of triumph.  During the three weeks that followed their trip to New York, Overton had not been the most congenial spot in the world for Grace or Anne. 19——­ was a very large class, and considered itself extremely democratic; nevertheless, the story of Anne’s theatrical career was bandied about among the freshmen and passed on to the sophomores, until the truth of it was lost in the haze of fiction that surrounded it.