lfreda see that we are her
friends," sighed Grace.

"She will see, some day," predicted Anne. "Sooner or later she will
realize her mistake and come back to us."

CHAPTER XIX

A GAME WORTH SEEING

The second Saturday in February dawned anything but encouragingly. The
night before a blizzard had set in, and at one o'clock Saturday
afternoon the temperature had dropped almost to zero. The wind howled
and shrieked dismally, and to venture out meant to nurse frozen ears as
a result of facing the blast. But neither wind nor weather frightened
the enthusiastic basketball fans. With knitted and fur caps pulled down
over their ears they gallantly braved the storm. Even the majority of
the faculty were in the front seats that had been reserved for them and
by two o'clock every available inch of space in the gallery was filled.

The sophomore colors of blue and gold mingled with the red and white of
the freshmen colors in the decorations that were displayed lavishly
about the gymnasium. The faculty, too, wore the colors of their
respective favorites, while the president of the college held two
immense bouquets, one of red, the other of yellow roses, showing that he
at least was impartial. On each side of the gallery a group of girls
stood ready to lead their respective classes in the basketball choruses
that are sung solely With the object of urging the teams on to deeds of
glory. These choruses had been written hurriedly by loyal fans who had
more enthusiasm than ability as verse writers, and fitted to popular
airs. The fact that they possessed neither rhythm nor style troubled no
one. The main idea was to make a great deal of noise in singing them,
and nothing else counted.

The freshmen and sophomore substitutes were the first to emerge from
their dressing rooms on either side of the gymnasium, dressed in their
respective gymnasium suits of black and blue, the sleeves and sailor
collars of which were ornamented with their colors. They were greeted
with a gratifying burst of song from both sides which lasted until they
took their places, eager and alert, ready to make good if the
opportunity presented itself. After a brief interval the dressing room
doors opened again and the real teams appeared. This time the burst of
song became so jubilantly noisy that the president of the college half
rose in his seat as though to signal for order, then, apparently
changing his mind, settled himself in his chair, smiling broa