ever mind, I don't care for any. Why, talk of people and they're sure
to turn up! Here she is!" replied Avis, as Muriel entered the pantry to
replace her empty glass on the table.

"Muriel Pearson, there's something we want to say," began Enid. "The way
you've treated your cousin is simply horrid. You ought to be thoroughly
ashamed of yourself, and I hope you are."

Muriel raised her eyebrows and looked at Enid with an expression of
supercilious surprise.

"Really, Enid Walker," she replied, "who asked you to interfere in my
affairs?"

"Nobody, but I mean to, all the same. You deserve to be cut by the whole
class, and I shan't be friends with you again."

"That's no great loss," said Muriel; "I wasn't aware that we ever were
friends."

Her tone was disdainful, and the coolness of her manner contrasted
strongly with Enid's excited indignation.

"But you were mean, Muriel," said Avis. "Why couldn't you introduce
Patty to some of us?"

"It doesn't seem to have been necessary," replied Muriel; "you've
evidently taken her up on your own account. I suppose Patty can make her
friends, and I can have mine?"

"But you left her quite alone at first, with nobody to speak to," said
Winnie; "it was most unkind. You weren't treated like that when you were
a new girl. I remember taking you round the school myself."

"You've a better memory than I have, then," said Muriel. "I wish you'd
all mind your own business. When I want to know your opinions, I'll ask
for them." And she stalked out of the pantry with a very haughty look on
her face, and without bestowing a glance on Patty.

"She needn't ask me to paint anything in her album, for I shan't do her
even a pencil sketch!" declared Winnie.

"I wish I hadn't given her the rest of my chocolates! I wouldn't have
done so if I'd known," said Avis.

"I'm glad she's not my cousin," said Enid; then, suddenly realizing that
her remark was scarcely tactful, and that Patty was looking
uncomfortable, she continued: "Never mind, Patty, we like you, you know.
You shan't be able to say now that you haven't a friend in the school.
I'm going to ask Miss Lincoln to let us each move up a little, so that
you can sit next to me at dinner. I know Cissie Gardiner won't mind
giving you her seat when I tell her the reason. There's the bell! I wish
we could have our desks near each other, but Miss Harper won't let us
change when once we've chosen places for the term. Be quick! We must
fly, or w