“Oh, Elfreda!” exclaimed Grace.  “I’m so glad you are not frightened.  It was a cruel trick, but, thank goodness, we found out about it in time.”

Elfreda rose and walked deliberately up to Grace and Miriam.  “I’m sorry for everything,” she said huskily.  “I’ve been a ridiculous simpleton, and I don’t deserve to have friends.  Will you forgive me, girls?  I’d like to start all over again.”

“Of course we will.  That was a direct, manly speech, Elfreda,” laughed Miriam, but there were tears in her own eyes which no one saw in the darkness.  She realized that in spite of her childish behavior she was fond of the stout girl and was glad that peace had been declared.

“Let us forget all about it, shake hands and go home,” proposed Grace, “or we may find ourselves locked out.”

The two girls shook hands with Elfreda, and all around again for good luck, then linking an arm in each of hers they conducted the rescued prisoner to where the rest of the party awaited them.  During their absence the ghosts had doffed their spectral garments and the instant the three joined them the order to march was given.  Once fairly in Overton, conversation was permitted, and on the same corner where they had met, the rescuers parted, after much talk and laughter.

“Come into my room and have tea to-night, Elfreda,” invited Miriam, as they entered the house.  “I have a pound of your favorite cakes.”

“I’d like to come to stay,” said Elfreda wistfully.  “But I’ve been too hateful for you ever to want me for a roommate again.”

“It’s rather late for you to move now,” replied Miriam slowly.  “But I’d love to have you with me next year.”

“Would you, honestly?” asked Elfreda, opening her eyes in astonishment.

“Honestly,” repeated Miriam, smiling.

“I’ll think about it,” returned Elfreda, flushing deeply.

“But there is nothing to think about,” protested Miriam.  “I wouldn’t ask you if I did not care for you.”

“That isn’t it,” said Elfreda in a low tone.  “It isn’t you.  It’s I. Don’t you understand?  You are letting me off too easily.  I don’t deserve to have you be so nice to me.”

“We wish you to forget about what has happened, Elfreda,” said Grace earnestly.  “Everyone is likely to make mistakes.  We are not here to judge, we are here to help one another.  That is one of the ways of cultivating true college spirit.”

“I’ll tell you one thing,” returned Elfreda, her eyes shining, “whether I cultivate college spirit or not, I’m going to try to cultivate common sense.  Then, at least, I’ll know enough to treat my best friends civilly.”

CHAPTER XXIII

VIRGINIA CHANGES HER MIND