hool. I was awfully curious about it."

"Miss Harding," a cold voice at their elbows caused both girls to start.
So intent had they been on their conversation that they had not noticed
Miss Merton's approach, "you may answer any questions Miss Dean wishes
to ask regarding our course of study here as set forth in our
curriculum." She laid a closely printed sheet of paper before Marjorie.
"This does not mean, however, the personal conversation in which, I am
sorry to say, you appeared to be engrossed when I approached. Remember,
Miss Dean, that personal conversation will neither be excused nor
tolerated in the study hall. I trust I shall not have to remind you of
this again."

Marjorie watched with unseeing eyes the angular form of the teacher as
she retreated to her platform. If Miss Merton had dealt her a blow on
her upturned face, it could have hurt no more severely than had this
unlooked-for reprimand. She was filled with a choking sense of shame
that threatened to end in a burst of angry sobs. The deep blush that had
risen to her face receded, leaving her very white. Those students
sitting in her immediate vicinity had, of course, heard Miss Merton. She
glanced quickly about to encounter two pairs of eyes. One pair was blue
and, it seemed to the embarrassed newcomer, sympathetic. Their owner was
the "Mary" girl, who sat two seats behind her in the next aisle. The
other pair was cruelly mocking, and they belonged to the girl that
Marjorie had mentally styled the Evil Genius. Something in their
taunting depths stirred an hitherto unawakened chord in gentle Marjorie
Dean. She returned the insolent gaze with one so full of steady strength
and defiance that the girl's eyes dropped before it and she devoted
herself assiduously to the open book which she held in her hand.

"Don't mind Miss Merton," whispered Muriel, comfortingly. "She is the
worst crank I ever saw. No one likes her. I don't believe even Miss
Archer does. She's been here for ages, so the Board of Education thinks
that Sanford High can't run without her, I guess."

"I'm so mortified and ashamed," murmured Marjorie. "On my first day,
too."

"Don't think about it," soothed Muriel. "What studies are you going to
take? I hope you will recite in some of my classes. Wait a moment. I'll
come back there and sit with you; then we'll make less noise. Miss
Merton told me to help you, you know," she reminded, with a soft
chuckle.

The fair head and the dark one be