"That is right, Grace," responded Mrs. Gray. "No need of hurting the
child's feelings."

During the balance of the evening nothing occurred to discomfit either
Grace or Anne. To be sure there was a marked coolness exhibited by most of
their classmates, but David took charge of Anne and saw to it that nothing
disturbed her. Grace, who was a general favorite with the High School boys
of Oakdale, could have filled her programme three times over. She was the
embodiment of life and danced with such apparent unconcern that the mind
of more than one sophomore was divided as to whether to cleave to Miriam
or renew their former allegiance to Grace.

It was well after one o'clock when the "Home, Sweet Home" waltz sounded.
The floor was well filled with dancers, for the majority of the guests had
remained until the end of the ball. As the last strains of the music died
away the sophomores sent their class yell echoing through the gymnasium.
It was answered by the various yells of the other classes, given with true
High School fervor. Each class trying to outdo the other in the making of
noise.

Sleepy chaperons began gathering up their charges. The sophomore ball was
a thing of the past.

"These late hours and indigestible suppers are bound to break down my
delicate constitution yet," Hippy confided to Nora.

"In that case I shall make it a point to see that you don't receive any
more invitations to our parties," Nora answered cruelly. "Then you can
stay at home and build up that precious health of yours."

"Don't mention it," replied Hippy hastily. "I would rather become an
emaciated wreck than deprive myself of your society."

"It was simply glorious," said Anne to Grace as they stood waiting for
their carriage, "and was there ever such a nice boy as David!"

Grace pressed Anne's hand by way of answer. She knew that David had
understood the situation and had taken care to steer Anne clear of shoals,
and Grace determined that no matter what Miriam might say or do in future,
for David's sake it should be overlooked.

CHAPTER XI

A LION AT LAST

It was a week before the last borrowed decoration reposed in its original
place, and fully that long before the echoes of the sophomore ball died
out. It was pronounced the most successful class function given in Oakdale
for a number of years, and the sophomores felt justly proud of themselves.
Miriam Nesbit took particular pains to point out that the success of the
af