ly child, and I fear has been a trifle spoiled. It would
please me if you could waken her to a higher regard for the spiritual
side of life, and less care for material things."

"I--I'll try," Conny stammered, dazed at so suddenly finding herself
cast in the unfamiliar role of moral reformer.

"And you have next to you the little French girl, Aurelie Deraismes. I
should be pleased, Constance, if you would assume an oversight of her
school career. She can help you to a more idiomatic knowledge of
French--and you can do the same for her in English.

"You, Priscilla, are rooming with--" She adjusted her lorgnette and
consulted a large chart.--"Ah, yes, Keren Hersey, a very unusual girl.
You two will find many subjects of mutual interest. The daughter of a
naval officer should have much in common with the daughter of a
missionary. Keren bids fair to become an earnest student--almost, if
such a thing were possible, too earnest. She has never had any girl
companions, and knows nothing of the give and take of school life. She
can teach you, Priscilla, to be more studious, and you can teach her to
be more, shall I say, flexible?"

"Yes, Mrs. Trent," Priscilla murmured.

"And so," the Dowager finished, "I am sending you out in my place, as
moral reformers. I want the older girls to set an example to the
newcomers. I wish to have the real government of the school a strong,
healthy Public Opinion. You three exert a great deal of influence. See
what you can do in the directions I have indicated--and in others that
may occur to you as you mix with your companions. I have watched you
carefully for three years, and in your fundamental good sense, I have
the greatest confidence."

She nodded dismissal, and the three found themselves in the hall again.
They looked at one another for a moment of blank silence.

"Moral reformers!" Conny gasped.

"I see through the Dowager," said Patty, "She thinks she's found a new
method of managing us."

"But I don't see that we're getting back to Paradise Alley," Priscilla
complained.

Patty's eyes suddenly brightened. She seized them each by an elbow and
shoved them into the empty schoolroom.

"We'll do it!"

"Do what?" asked Conny.

"Pitch right in and reform the school. If we just keep at
it--steady--you'll see! We'll be back in Paradise Alley at the end of
two weeks."

"Um," said Priscilla, thoughtfully. "I believe we might."

"We'll commence with Irene," said Conny, her mind ea