for dinner at Wayne Hall, and Mildred spent her
spare time almost entirely in their society. As the two juniors were
extremely unpopular with the Wayne Hall girls a peculiar constraint
invariably fell upon the table when either young woman was Mildred's
guest for the evening. "One has to weigh one's words before speaking
when Alberta Wicks or Mary Hampton are here," Emma Dean had declared
significantly to Irene Evans, and this seemed to be the prevalent
opinion among the students who lived at Wayne Hall.

Mildred's attitude toward Grace had not changed. In manner she was more
distant than ever, and except for a slight bow when chance brought her
face to face with Grace, she gave no other evidence of having been more
than the merest acquaintance. Her dislike for her roommate had to all
appearances disappeared, and Laura Atkins was now seen occasionally in
company with Mildred and her two mischievous junior friends.

Such was the situation when the longed-for Christmas vacation arrived.
Grace Harlowe's thoughts were not on her own perplexities as she walked
toward Wayne Hall after finishing her last round of calls. A new problem
had arisen, and as she swung along through the crisp winter air she was
deep in thought. It was peculiar Christmas weather. A light snow had
fallen, but through the patches of white lying softly on the campus the
grass still showed spots of green. It had been an unusually long, warm
fall, and to Grace, whose winters had been spent much farther north, the
mildness of December had seemed marvelous.

"There!" she exclaimed, stopping in the middle of the walk to consult a
small leather book, and drawing a pencil through the last item, "I can
go home in peace. I have every single thing done, even to notifying the
expressman to come for my trunk."

A sudden trill sounded down the street behind her. Turning her head,
Grace saw Arline Thayer bearing down upon her. "I thought I'd never make
you hear me," panted the little girl. "Ruth is going home with me after
all."

"I thought she would," laughed Grace. "She assured me last night that
she wouldn't think of imposing upon you, but I know your powers of
persuasion. You have given Ruth a great deal of happiness, Arline, and I
am sure she appreciates it, too."

Arline shook her curly head. "I don't deserve any credit. I am nice with
her because I like her. I am consulting my own selfish pleasure, you
see, and that doesn't count. If I didn't care for Ru