Grace
with a shudder. "When do we go forth on our mission of reform?"

"We'll call on her to-morrow after school," Anne replied, "and don't
forget that you once made the remark that you thought Miriam had a better
self. You told me the day you read Julia Crosby's statement to the girls
that you wouldn't give her up."

"I suppose that I shall have to confess that I did say so," laughed Grace.
"But that was before she locked me up. She is so proud and stubborn that
she will probably take the olive branch we hold out and trample upon it.
After all, it really isn't our place to hold out olive branches anyway.
She is the one who ought to eat humble pie. I feel ashamed to think I have
to tell her what I know about her."

"So do I," responded Anne. "It's horrid to have to go to people and tell
them about their misdeeds. I wouldn't propose going now if it weren't for
David. He seems to think that she would be willing to behave if some one
showed her how."

"All right," said Grace, "we'll go, but if we encounter a human tornado
don't say I didn't warn you."

"That's one reason I want to go to her house," replied Anne. "If we
approach her at school she is liable to turn on us and make a scene, or
else walk off with her nose in the air. If we can catch her at home
perhaps she will be more amenable to reason. But, if, to-morrow, she
refuses to melt and be forgiven, then I wash my hands of her forever."

CHAPTER XXII

A RESCUE AND A REFORM

It was with considerable trepidation that Anne and Grace approached the
Nesbit gate the following afternoon.

"I feel my knees beginning to wobble," Grace observed, as they rang the
bell. "This business of being a reformer has its drawbacks. How had we
better begin?"

"I don't know, the inspiration to say the right thing will probably come,
when we see her," said Anne.

"If she behaves in her usual manner, I shall have a strong inspiration, to
give her a good shaking," said Grace bluntly.

To their relief, the maid who answered the bell informed them that Miriam
had gone out for a walk.

"Do you know which way she went?" Grace asked.

"I think, miss, that she went toward Upton Wood. She often walks there,"
replied the maid.

The girls thanked her and started down the walk.

"Miriam ought never to walk, alone, in Upton Wood, especially this time
of year," remarked Grace. "There are any amount of tramps lurking around.
If David knew it he would be awfully provoked."