. "You are most kind to come and cheer up a lonely old woman. I
shall expect you to be very gay and tell me all the gossip of the
Oakdale High School, the four of you."

"Luncheon is served, ma'am," announced John, whereat the sprightly old
lady led the way to the dining room.

Over the delicious broiled chicken and other good things they discussed
the affairs of the school, the new teacher in mathematics, Miss Leece,
who was so unpopular; the girls' principal, Miss Thompson, beloved by
all the pupils; the merits of the Freshman Basketball Team and a dozen
other schoolgirl topics that seemed to delight the ears of Mrs. Gray.

"The truth is," she said, "I believe this freshman class is going to be
one of the finest Oakdale High School has ever turned out. I have a
feeling that I shall be very proud of my new girls, and at Christmas
time I mean to do something I have never done before, if all goes well."

"Oh, do tell us what it is, Mrs. Gray," cried the girls in great
excitement.

"I mean to celebrate with the largest Christmas party that's been given
in Oakdale for many a long year. Grace, you shall manage it for me, and
all of you shall help me decorate the tree and the house. We'll invite
the freshmen boys and have a real dance with Ohlson's band for the
music."

"Oh, oh!" cried the girls ecstatically, even quiet Anne joining in the
chorus.

"By the way," went on Mrs. Gray, "do you know any girl who would like to
come up and read to me twice a week, and write my notes for me? I'm
getting to be an old woman. My eyesight is growing dim. Is there any
girl who would like to earn a little pocket money? But she must have a
sweet, soft voice, like Anne's here."

"Anne would be the very girl herself, Mrs. Gray," suggested Grace. "She
reads and recites beautifully."

"You are not sure it would trespass on your time too much, Anne?"
observed the wily old lady. "I don't want to impose on you."

Anne's face fairly radiated with happiness. Could those girls possibly
guess how much it meant to her to earn a little money! Five dollars was
to her an enormous sum, and perhaps she might earn as much as that in
time.

"Might I do it?" she exclaimed, beside herself with joy.

Grace turned her face away a moment. She felt almost ashamed of her own
comfortable prosperity. And how like Mrs. Gray it was to do a kind thing
in that way, as if Anne would be conferring a favor by accepting the
position.

"Indeed, you might, my d