" exclaimed Grace. "I suppose he'll be there to-night with
dear Mrs. Gray."

"Yes, they are going," said David. "I don't believe Mrs. Gray has missed a
commencement for the last twenty years."

"I wonder who'll get the freshman prize this year?" mused Grace. "I hope
it goes to some girl who really needs it. I know one thing; there will be
no claimant for the hundred dollar prize this year. Anne broke the
record."

"Indeed she did," said David, looking fondly at Anne. "To be in company
with Oakdale's star prize winner is a great honor."

"Oh, don't," said Anne who hated compliments.

"Very well, if you spurn the truth," replied David. "By the way, I have an
invitation to deliver. Miriam wants all of you to come up to our house the
minute the exercises are over to-night. Never mind if it is late.
Commencement comes but once a year."

"De-lighted," chorused the chums.

"Hush," said Hippy. "Make no uproar. We are about to enter the sacred
precincts of Assembly Hall. I feel that on account of my years of
experience I must make myself responsible for the behavior of you
children. Smother that giggle, Nora O'Malley," he commanded, looking at
Nora with an expression of severity that set oddly on his fat,
good-natured face.

This made the whole party laugh, and Hippy declared, disgustedly, that he
considered them quite ignorant of the first principles of good behavior.

They were seated in the hall at last, and for the next two hours listened
with serious attention to the essays and addresses of the graduates.

Grace had sent Ethel Post her roses as soon as she entered the hall, and
had the pleasure of seeing them in her friend's hands.

The diplomas were presented, and the freshman prize given out. It was won
by a shy-looking little girl with big, pleading, brown eyes. Grace watched
her closely as she walked up to receive it and resolved to find out more
about her.

"She looks as though she needed friends," was her mental comment.

Anne, too, felt drawn toward the slender little girl. She recalled her
freshman commencement and her total collapse after the race had been won.

"I hope that little girl has friends as good and true as mine," she
whispered to Grace.

"Don't you think she looks lonely?" Grace asked.

"She surely does," returned Anne. "Let's find out all about her."

"Done," Grace replied.

As soon as the exercises were over the young people hurried over to where
Tom Gray and his aunt stood talki