Wells, just to please two
or three girls?" asked Virginia Gaines, the sophomore who had
assiduously cultivated the acquaintance of Elfreda--then dropped her at
the first sign of trouble. "We sophomores wouldn't allow ourselves to be
influenced by cliques. We consider the good of the class of more
importance than the good of any individual member."

She smiled disagreeably at Grace, who looked at her steadily, then said,
"Was your remark intended for me and my friends, Miss Gaines?"

"Not necessarily," flung back the sophomore, "unless you feel that it
applies to you and to them."

"No, I don't believe it does," declared Grace with a quiet smile. "In
fact, I quite agree with you in saying that the good of the class should
always come first. That is why we are all anxious to nominate Miss Wells
for president of 19----."

A dull flush rose to Virginia Gaines's sallow face. She was not
quick-witted and could think of no reply. The other freshmen at the
table were taking no pains to disguise their glee at Grace's retort.
Virginia's sarcastic comment had proved a boomerang and she had gained
nothing by launching it. She hurried through with her dessert and left
the table without another word, casting a half malignant look at Grace
as she went.

"Virginia's mad,
And I am glad,"

sang a freshman softly as the door banged.

"Please, don't," said Grace soberly. "I'm sorry she's angry, but I
couldn't help it. I seem always fated to arouse sophomore ire."

"I wouldn't mind a little thing like that," comforted Elfreda. "I'd
rather be the enemy than the friend of some girls."

"But I don't want to be the enemy of any girl," declared Grace, looking
almost appealingly about the table.

"Of course you don't," soothed Emma Dean, a tall, near-sighted girl at
the end of the table, who had the reputation of making brilliant
recitations. "You couldn't antagonize the rest of us if you tried. That
is, unless you deliberately broke my glasses."

A shout of laughter went up from the table. Virginia Gaines, who had
lingered in the hall, heard it, and her face darkened. In spite of
Grace's declaration for peace she had made an enemy.

CHAPTER XIII

GRACE TURNS ELECTIONEER

Directly after dinner that afternoon, the four girls, looking very smart
in their new fall suits and hats, set out for Ruth's. They found her
seated at her little table eating a very humble dinner of her own
cooking. "I'm sorry I can't offer y