Ruth
said warmly. "I feel that we freshmen all want to pass our examinations
honestly--or not at all."

"That is exactly what I believe about the other girls," groaned the
teacher. "But the sorority members admit that Margaret Rolff was
instructed to remove the Egyptian vase from the library as a part of the
stunt she was expected to do during the initiation ceremonies.

"And in that vase were my papers. Of course, the girls did not know the
examination papers were there before the vase was taken. _But what
became of them afterward?_"

"Why, Miss Cullam," Ruth said thoughtfully, "of course they must still
be in the vase."

"Perhaps. Then, perhaps not," murmured the teacher. "Who knows?"

CHAPTER XXIII

THE SQUALL

The first college eight went off to Gillings, and, as it was only a few
miles by rail, half the student body, at least, went to root for the
crew. The Ardmore boat was beaten.

"Oh, dear! To come home plucked in such a disgusting way," groaned
Helen, who, with Jennie, as well as Ruth, was among the disgruntled and
disappointed girls who had gone to see the race. "It is awful."

"It's taught them a lesson, I wager," Ruth said practically. "We have
all been rowing in still water. The river at Gillings is rough, and the
local eight was used to it. I say, girls!"

"Say it," said Jennie, gruffly. "It can't be anything that will hurt us
after what we've seen to-day. Three whole boatlengths ahead!"

"Never mind," broke in Helen. "The races with Hampton and Beardsley will
be on our own lake."

"And if there is a flutter of wind, our first eight will be beaten
again," from Jennie Stone.

"No, no, girls!" Ruth cried. "I heard the coach tell them that hereafter
she was going to make them row if there was a hurricane. And that's what
_we_ must do."

"_Who_ must do, Ruthie? What do you mean?" asked Helen.

"The freshman eight."

"E-lu-ci-date," drawled Jennie.

"We must learn to handle our shell in rough water. If there is a breath
of wind stirring we mustn't beat it to land," said Ruth, vigorously.
"Let's learn to handle our shell in really rough water."

"Sounds reasonable," admitted Jennie. "Shall we all take out accident
policies?"

"No. All learn to swim. That's the wisest course," laughed Ruth.

"Ain't it the _trewth_?" agreed Jennie, making a face. "I'm not much of
a swimmest in fresh water. But I never could sink."

The freshmen with the chums in the eight-oared shell proved to b