om.

And it was a real lunch, as Miss Walters had promised--a lunch that
disappeared as if by magic, and when it was over the students of Three
Towers were really comfortable for the first time in over a week.

And everybody was happy, except Miss Ada Dill and Miss Cora; and Amanda
Peabody and Eliza Dilks, perhaps. However, even though her attempt had
failed this time, Amanda was by no means discouraged. There would be
other chances--and then she would get even with Billie Bradley!

Rose Belser was happier than she had been since she had first become
jealous of Billie. She was happy because she had done her best to set
Billie right again, and could look at her pretty reflection in the glass
once more without feeling ashamed.

It was some time later, and Billie, Vi and Laura were stretched out in
comfortable attitudes on Billie's bed in dormitory "C"--for Miss Walters
had declared it a half holiday. And, indeed, after lunch was over there
was scarcely any of the day left, anyway.

"I feel almost sorry for Miss Ada and Miss Cora," Billie was saying,
when suddenly the door opened and Connie Danvers flew in upon them.

"Girls," she cried, plumping herself down between Laura and Vi on the
bed, narrowly missing the latter's feet, "I've just got a letter--there
are some for you girls down in the box, too--and what do you think the
folks are going to do this summer?"

The girls said they could not possibly guess, and before any of them
would have had a chance to, anyway, she rattled on again:

"Mother and Dad are going to open our cottage at Lighthouse Island
again--we haven't been there for several summers. My old Uncle Tom runs
the lighthouse there, and he's a perfect darling. But this is the real
thing," she paused and regarded them with sparkling eyes. "Mother says
there will be plenty of room in the cottage for two or three of my
school chums if I'd like to have them. Think of that--if I'd like to
have them!"

The girls sat up and regarded Connie doubtfully. "What do you mean?"
stammered Billie.

"What do I mean, you little goose?" said Connie impatiently. "Don't you
know I'm asking you and Laura and Vi to go with me?"

"A summer on an island with a lighthouse!" Billie murmured, while Laura
and Vi looked as if they could not believe their ears. "Now I know I'm
going to just die of it."

"What?" asked Connie curiously.

"Joy," said Billie.

And whether she did actually die of joy or not--somehow one is rath