freda would like to stay here and study all summer," remarked Miriam
slyly to Anne, who was watching Elfreda's movements with amused eyes.

"Oh, no, I wouldn't," retorted Elfreda good-naturedly. "I am as anxious
to go home as the rest of you, but I'm sorry to leave here, too. What's
the use in explaining?" she grumbled, catching sight of her friends'
laughing faces. "You girls know what I mean, only you will tease me."

"Never mind, we won't tease It any more," said Miriam soothingly.

"There is only one thing you can do to convince me that you are in
earnest," stipulated Elfreda.

"Name it," laughed Anne.

"Invite me to a banquet, and have cakes and lemonade," was the calm
request.

"I thought you were strongly opposed to sweet things," commented Anne.

"Not at the sad, sorrowful end of the sophomore year," returned Elfreda,
impressively. "Besides, lemonade isn't fattening."

"And it will be such splendid exercise for you to make it," added Miriam
mischievously.

Elfreda looked disapprovingly at Miriam, then a broad smile illuminated
her round face. "So nice of you to think about the exercise," she beamed
affectedly. "Lead me to the lemons."

Miriam rose, took Elfreda by the arm, and leading her to the closet,
pointed upward to the shelf. Elfreda grasped the paper bag with a
giggle. Then Miriam led her calmly out again, just in time to encounter
Grace, Mabel Ashe and Frances Marlton, who, in passing down the hall,
had heard voices, and could not resist stopping for a moment.

"What is going on here?" asked Mabel curiously. "Why is J. Elfreda in
leading strings?"

"She is taking exercise," replied Miriam gravely. "J. Elfreda, explain
to the lady."

"This exercise is compulsory," grinned Elfreda. "No exercise, no
lemonade. Of course, you will stay and have some."

"Of course," agreed Mabel. "I may not have a chance for a very long time
to drink lemonade again with the Wayne Hallites."

"You mustn't say that," remonstrated Grace. "Remember, you are going to
visit me at Oakdale. Elfreda is going to visit Miriam. Can't you can
arrange to come, too, Frances?"

"I'm sorry," declared Frances, shaking her head, "but we are going to
sail for Europe within a week after I reach home. I shall have to say
good-bye in earnest on Thursday. But I'll write you, and make you a
visit some time."

"How comfortingly definite. I'll see you again during the next hundred
years," jeered Mabel.

"You know I don't mean that