the wreck," chuckled Helen.

Ruth, however, was scarcely willing to admit that that the salvage
would repay them for the black marks both surely had earned.

CHAPTER XVII

GOODY TWO-STICKS

To tell the truth the young ladies of the West Dormitory who attended
Helen's sub-rosa supper looked pretty blue when the rest of the school
filed out of chapel and left them sticking, like limpets, to their
seats. Mrs. Tellingham looked just as stern as Helen imagined she
could look, when she ended a whispered conference with Miss Picolet,
and stood before the culprits.

"Being out of bed at all hours, and stuffing one's self with all manner
of indigestible viands, is more than a crime against the school rules,
young ladies," she began. "It is a crime against common sense.
Besides, I take a pride in the fact that Briarwood Hall supplies a
sufficient and a well-served table. Fruit at times between meals is
all very well. But a sour pickle and a piece of angel cake at eleven
or twelve o'clock at night would soon break down the digestive
faculties of a second Samson.

"However," she added grimly, "that will bring its own punishment. I
need not trouble myself about this phase of the matter. But that
distinct rules of the school have been broken cannot be ignored. Each
of you who were visitors at the study of Misses Fielding and Cameron
last evening after hours will have one demerit to work off by extra
exercises in Latin and French.

"Miss Cox!"

She spoke so sharply that The Fox hopped up quickly, knowing that she
was especially addressed.

"It is reported to me by Miss Picolet that you spoke to her in a most
unladylike manner. You have two demerits to work off, instead of one."

Mary Cox ruffled up instantly. She flounced into her seat and threw
her book aside.

"Miss Cox," repeated the Preceptress, sharply, "I do not like your
manner. Most of these girls are younger than you, and you are their
leader. I believe you are all members of the Up and Doing Club. Have
a care. Let your club stand for something besides infractions of the
rules, I beg. And, when you deliberately insult the teacher who has
charge of your dormitory, you insult _me_."

"I suppose I'm to be given no opportunity of answering Miss Picolet's
report, or accusation?" cried Mary Fox. "I don't call it fair----"

"Silence!" exclaimed the Preceptress. "You may come to me after
session this afternoon. Miss Cameron may work off a full