It is easy to guess that many hearts fluttered wildly in anxious anticipation during this trying moment.  But Wellington was always fair, and no one would be denied a chance to “pull up” if native ability seemed equal to the trial.

The seniors, almost all self-reliant and assured of their standing, had little to speculate upon, and their report was quickly disposed of.  In the juniors were many whose standing held interest, but almost all got off favorably.  Ted Guthrie had worked off “conditions,” as had Inez and Janet, one in math and the other in Greek, but the first half year was pronounced satisfactory for almost all the students whose names have figured in this little tale.  Jane and Judith were always counted among the lucky number.

It was in the freshmen’s ranks that things were sure to happen.  Here were girls just trying out college; some sure to be found unsuitable for pursuing the higher branches of education, others evidently capable as to intellect but poorly prepared, and were thus handicapped with too heavy a burden of “conditions.”  Again there were those who had drifted through “High” without much effort, and relying on this pace had mistaken the very serious work of college for that of the rather indifferent preparatory work.

Much of this explanation was embodied in Miss Rutledge’s statement to the assembled pupils.

“There is also this to be considered,” she said.  “Some pupils show remarkable aptitude in certain studies, and when this is found in the exact science of mathematics we have reason to feel that the student will eventually make up other deficiencies, and so keep up with her class.”

“That’s for you,” whispered Sally to Bobbie with a very broad nudge, but Bobbie’s eyes answered with that look pet animals throw out when in doubt of a master’s exact meaning.

Then, there were cited the highest averages, and the first name called was that of Miss Sarah Howland!  As Miss Rutledge read the name she looked up from her reports.

“I feel I should add,” she said gently, “that Miss Howland has covered more than the work required, and has the peculiarly well balanced intellect that seems to feed from one subject to another.  I must congratulate Miss Howland upon her splendid record as a first-year student.”

Jane Allen’s hands led the applause that followed this, but it was not ended until the ranks of the freshmen had paid ample tribute to their star member.  Sally was dreadfully embarrassed.  She shook her head in continual protest, but her objection had only the effect of increasing the acclamation.  Finally the dean proceeded.

Bobbie was all but biting her nails in sheer nervousness.  After all, this had required an amount of courage.  Her nails pressed into her palms fiercely.  Perhaps it would have been simpler to have avoided the final reckoning?  The girls’ names being read gave to her tingling ears merely a blurred murmur.  Yes, Dolly Lloyd would pass:  and there was Margie Winters—­Margie was a star in English.  Next—­