Marjorie, dutifully.

Miss Archer raised her eyebrows. "You are ambitious. We usually allow
our pupils to carry only four subjects."

"But these are quite easy subjects," pleaded Marjorie; "that is, all
except algebra. I am not especially clever in mathematics. I am obliged
to study very hard to make good recitations. Still, I should like to
continue with the subjects I have begun. Won't you try me until the end
of the first term?" she added, a coaxing note in her voice.

"I will at least try you for a week or two. Then if I find that you are
not overtaxing your strength you may go on with them."

"Thank you." Marjorie's relieved tone caused the principal to smile
again. It was not usual for a pupil to show concern over the prospect of
losing a subject. Many of the students rebelled at having to carry four
subjects.

"Have you your grammar school certificate with you?" asked Miss Archer,
the smile giving way to a businesslike expression.

Marjorie handed the principal the large envelope she had been carrying.
Miss Archer drew forth a square of thick white paper, ornamented with
the red seal by which the state board of school commissioners had
signified their approval of Marjorie Dean and her work in the grammar
school.

The older woman read it carefully. "Yes, this is, as I thought the same
form of certificate. From this moment on you are a freshman in Sanford
High School, Miss Dean. I trust that you will be happy here. Sanford has
the reputation of being one of the finest schools in the state. I am
going to assign you to a seat in the study hall at once. Miss Merton is
in charge there. She will give you a printed form of our curriculum of
study. School opens at nine o'clock in the morning. The morning session
lasts until twelve o'clock. We have an hour and a quarter for luncheon,
and our last recitation for the day is over at half past three o'clock.
We have devotional exercises in the chapel on Monday and Friday
mornings, and the course in gymnastics is optional. There are, of
course, many other things regarding the regulations of the school which
you will gradually come to know."

"Miss Arnold," the thin-faced, sharp-eyed young woman, who had been
covertly appraising Marjorie during her talk with Miss Archer, came
languidly forward. "This is Miss Dean." The two girls bowed rather
distantly. Marjorie had conceived an instant and violent dislike for
this lynx-eyed stranger. "Take Miss Dean to the locker room,