“Oh, I think we’re all rooted to the spot for this year,” said Jessica, “but what about next?  Nora and I will be in a conservatory, Grace will be in college and Anne—­where will you be, Anne?”

“Goodness knows,” replied Anne.  “I’d like to try for a scholarship, but how on earth would I support myself even if I were fortunate enough to win?”

“Don’t worry about that,” said Grace quickly.  “That is for that all-wise body, the Phi Sigma Tau, to consider.  We will be your ways and means committee, Anna.”

“Oh, I couldn’t think of weighing you girls down with my cares,” replied Anne soberly.  “I must work out my own salvation.”

By this time they had turned out of High School Street and were moving in the direction of Grace’s home, where the majority of their chats took place, when Nora suddenly exclaimed in a low tone: 

“Look, girls, there is Eleanor Savell!”

“Where? where?” demanded three eager voices, as their owners followed Nora’s glance.

“Across the street,” replied Nora.  “Don’t let her know that we are looking at her.”

Sure enough, on the opposite side of the street, Eleanor Savell was to be seen strolling along in company with Edna Wright and Daisy Culver, two seniors who had been her faithful followers since her advent in Oakdale.

“Excitement number one,” remarked Nora.  “The fair Eleanor comes and our peace of mind departs.  I had cherished vain hopes that she wouldn’t favor us with the light of her countenance this year, even though she did inform Grace of her laudable desire to stay with the seniors for pure spite.”

“Never mind, Nora,” said Jessica, “I don’t believe she’ll worry herself about us, even though she did make dire threats.”

“Remember what I told you last year, girls,” said Grace in a tone of admonition.  “Be careful what you do and say whenever she is near.  She despises the Phi Sigma Tau and would revenge herself upon us at the slightest opportunity.  She comes of a race who swear vendettas.”

“She better not swear any when I am around,” retorted Nora with spirit, “or she will find that the Irish are equal to the occasion.”

“Don’t excite yourself needlessly, Nora,” laughed Anne.  “That splendid Hibernian energy of yours is worthy of a better cause.”

“How provoking!” suddenly exclaimed Grace.  “I’ve left my library book in the gym. and it’s a week overdue now.  I shall simply have to go back and get it.  It’s only three o’clock,” she added, consulting her watch.  “Who will go with me?”

“Of what use is it for all of us to go,” complained Nora.  “We’ll wait right here for you and you can hurry faster by going alone.”

“All right, lazy, unsocial creatures,” said Grace good-humoredly.  “I’m off.  Be sure you wait.”

She hurried in the direction of the High School and in an incredibly short time was running down the corridor of the wing that led to the gymnasium.  Remembering that she had laid her book on the window sill, Grace lost no time in securing it, and taking it under her arm waited toward the door.  Suddenly the faint smell of smoke was borne to her nostrils.