upposition. If, in some unprecedented manner, they really received
information, then they must have learned the outcome of the affair from
the same source. All I can do is to remain mute on the subject. They
will, undoubtedly, ridicule me behind my back. If they attempt to
belittle me to my face, I shall resign my position here." The humiliated
little manager's lips compressed into a tight line.

"I think the whole business is shameful; simply shameful!" burst forth
Vera, her blue eyes flashing. "Imagine President Matthews taking such an
extremely unjust stand!"

"It is too bad you cannot go to him and have the matter out with him.
No; I understand that you wouldn't, under the circumstances," Jerry
added quickly, as Miss Remson made a hasty gesture of dissent. "I
wouldn't either, if I were you."

"I believe there is more to this than appears on the surface," Marjorie
gave steady opinion. "We hardly know President Matthews, as we were
merely freshies last year. Still he seems to be such a fine man. A man
in his position ought to be above anything even touching on injustice."

"There you are! 'Seems to be,' and 'ought to be,'" repeated Leila
cynically. "May I ask you, Miss Remson, do you know the signature to the
president's letter to you to be by his own hand? I would not hesitate to
set a trumped-up letter down to the Sans' mischief-making bureau."

"Yes; it is President Matthews' signature; unmistakably his," answered
Miss Remson. "I am satisfied Doctor Matthews wrote the letter. It is
written much as he would write if he were thoroughly annoyed. Neither
Miss Myers nor her friends could write it. You spoke of there being more
to this than appears on the surface, Miss Dean. Pardon me for
disagreeing. I hardly think so."

Marjorie never forgot the hurt look that crept into the manager's
usually cheerful face as she bravely disagreed. It was as though she had
caught a glimpse of the plucky little woman's grieving soul. She
realized that Miss Remson had found it hard to give even them her
confidence. She guessed also that the manager would be grateful if left
to herself.

"I know what it means to feel dreadfully hurt over something untrue that
has been said of one, Miss Remson," she consoled in her sincere,
gracious fashion. "That's the way it was with me last March. Thanks to
my friends, the clouds blew away and the sun came out again. We are your
true friends, and we would like to do as much for you as we know you