the pleasant happenings of her first,
never-to-be-forgotten day in Sanford High School.

CHAPTER VIII

STANDING BY HER COLORS

When Marjorie took her seat in the study hall the next morning, Muriel's
greeting was as affable as it had been before the disagreement of the
previous afternoon. She even went so far as to whisper, "Don't take
Mignon too seriously. She is really dreadfully hurt over the unkind
things Miss Stevens has said of her."

Marjorie listened in polite silence to the Picture Girl's rather lame
apology in behalf of her friend. She could think of nothing to say.
Muriel had turned about in her seat, her eyes fixed expectantly upon the
other girl. But just then came an unexpected interruption.

"Miss Dean," shrilled Miss Merton's high, querulous voice, "who gave you
permission to leave school before the regular hour of dismissal
yesterday afternoon?"

"I did not----" began the astonished girl.

"Young woman, do you mean to contradict me?" thundered Miss Merton.

Marjorie had now risen to her feet. Her pretty face had turned very
white, her brown eyes gleamed like two angry flames. "I had no intention
of contradicting you, Miss Merton." Her low, steady tones were full of
repressed indignation. "What I had begun to say was that I did not know
I was expected to return to the study hall after my last class. In the
high school which I attended in B---- we went from our last class to our
locker rooms. It is, of course, my fault. I should have inquired about
it beforehand." The freshman quietly resumed her seat.

Every pair of eyes in the room was turned upon Marjorie.

Miss Merton, however, had no intention of letting her off so easily.
"The rules and regulations of another high school do not, in the least,
interest me, Miss Dean," she said, with biting sarcasm. "It is my
business to see that the rules of _Sanford_ High School are enforced,
and I propose to do it. You have been a pupil in this school for only
one day, yet I have been obliged to reprimand you on two different
occasions. If you annoy me further I shall consider myself fully
justified in sending you to Miss Archer."

The ringing of the first recitation bell put an end to the little scene.
Marjorie rose from her seat and marched from the study hall, her head
held high. If Miss Merton expected her to break down and cry she would
find herself sadly mistaken. Muriel overtook her in the corridor. "My,
but Miss Merton hates you!" she