quaintance
had obtained a strong hold on her.

"And the next thing is the sophomore reception," said Rachel.

"And Mountain Day right after that," added Betty.

"What?" asked Helen and Roberta together.

"Is it possible that you don't know about Mountain Day, children?" asked
Mary Brooks soberly. "Well, you've heard about the physical tests for
the army and navy, haven't you? This is like those. If you pass your
entrance examinations you are allowed a few weeks to recuperate, and
then if you can climb the required mountain you can stay on in college."

"How very interesting!" drawled Roberta, who had some idea now how to
take Mary's jibes. "Now, Betty, please tell us about it."

Betty explained that the day after the sophomore reception was a
holiday, and that most of the girls seized the opportunity to take an
all-day walk or drive into the country around Harding.

"Let's all ask our junior and senior friends about the nicest places to
go," said Rachel, emphasizing "junior and senior" and looking at Mary.
"Then we can make our plans, and engage a carriage if we want one. I
should think there might be quite a rush."

"You should, should you?" jeered Mary. "My dear, every horse that can
stand alone and every respectable vehicle was engaged weeks ago."

"No one has engaged our lower appendages," returned Katherine. "So if
worse comes to worst, we are quite independent of liveries. Which of us
are you going to take to the sophomore reception?"

"Roberta, of course," said Mary. "Didn't you know that Roberta and I
have a crush on each other? A crush, my dears, in case you are wanting
to know, is a warm and adoring friendship. Sorry, but I'm going out this
evening."

"Has she really asked you, Roberta?" asked Betty.

"Yes," said Roberta.

"How nice! I'm going with a sophomore whose sister is a friend of
Nan's."

"And Hester Gulick is going to take me--she's my friend from home,"
volunteered Rachel.

"I was asked to-day," added Helen. "After the class-meeting an awfully
nice girl, a junior, came up here. She said there were so many of us
that some of the juniors were going to help take us. Isn't it nice of
them?"

Nobody spoke for a moment; then Katherine went on gaily. "And we other
three have not yet been called and chosen, but I happen to know that
it's because so many people want us, and nobody will give up. So don't
the rest of you indulge in any crowing."

"By the way, Betty," said Rachel Morrison,