She hurried away, followed by Mary Hampton.

“That was my first, and if I get safely out of this, will be my last offense,” said another sophomore firmly.  “All those who agree with me say ‘aye.’” Five “ayes” were spoken simultaneously.

In the meantime, Grace was trying vainly to make up her mind what to do.  Should she go directly to the two mischievous sophomores, revealing the identity of the ghosts, or should she leave them in a quandary as to the outcome of their unwomanly trick?  One thing had been decided upon definitely by Grace and her friends.  They would tell no tales.  Grace could not help thinking that a little anxiety would be the just due of the plotters, and with this idea in mind determined to do nothing for a time, at least, toward putting them at their ease.

But there was one person who had not been asked to remain silent concerning the ghost party, and that person was Elfreda.  Grace had forgotten to tell her that the night’s happenings were to be kept a secret and when late that afternoon she espied Alberta Wicks and Mary Hampton walking in the direction of Stuart Hall she pursued them with the air of an avenger.  Before they realized her presence she had begun a furious arraignment of their treachery.  “You ought to be sent home for it,” she concluded savagely, “and if Grace Harlowe wasn’t——­”

“Grace Harlowe!” exclaimed Alberta, turning pale.  “Do you mean to tell me that it was she who planned that ghost party?”

“I shall tell you nothing,” retorted Elfreda.  “I’m sorry I said even that much.  I want you to understand, though, that if you ever try to play a trick on me again, I’ll see that you are punished for it if I have to go down on my knees to the whole faculty to get them to give you what you deserve.  Just remember that, and mind your own business, strictly, from now on.”

Turning on her heel, the stout girl marched off, leaving the two girls in a state of complete perturbation.

“Had we better go and see Miss Harlowe?” asked Mary Hampton, rather unsteadily.

“The question is, do we care to come back here next year?” returned Alberta grimly.

“I’d like to come back,” said Mary in a low voice.  “Wouldn’t you?”

“I don’t know,” was the perverse answer.  “I don’t wish to humble myself to any one.  I’m going to take a chance on her keeping quiet about last night.  I have an idea she is not a telltale.  If worse comes to worst, there are other colleges, you know, Mary.”

“I thought, perhaps, if we were to go to Miss Harlowe, we might straighten out matters and be friends,” said Mary rather hesitatingly.  “Those girls have nice times together, and they are the cleverest crowd in the freshman class.  I’m tired of being at sword’s points with people.”

“Then go over to them, by all means,” sneered Alberta.  “Don’t trouble yourself about your old friends.  They don’t count.”

“You know I didn’t mean that, Bert,” said Mary reproachfully.  “I won’t go near them if you feel so bitter about last night.”