get along in school, Eleanor," answered Grace gently,
"if you take that stand. The only way to be happy is to----"

"Please don't preach to me," said Eleanor haughtily. "It is of no use.
I am not a child and I understand my own business thoroughly. When I saw
you girls the first day of school, I thought that you were full of life
and spirit, but really you are all goody-goodies, who allow those
teachers to lead you around by the nose. I had intended to ask Aunt
Margaret to take me out of this ridiculous school, for some of the
people in it make me tired, but I have changed my mind. I shall stay for
pure spite and show that stiff-necked principal of yours that I am a law
unto myself, and won't stand her interference."

"Stop a moment, Eleanor. I am going no farther with you," said Grace,
flushing, "but I should just like to say before I leave you that you are
taking the wrong view of things, and you'll find it out sooner or later.
I am sorry that you have such a poor opinion of myself and my friends,
for we cherish nothing but the friendliest feelings toward you."

With this, Grace walked away, feeling more hurt over Eleanor's rudeness
than she cared to show.

As she turned out of High School Street she heard a familiar call, and,
glancing up the street, saw her three chums waiting for her on the
corner.

"We saw you just as you tackled Eleanor," said Nora, "so we kept away,
for we thought after to-day's performances she wouldn't be in a very
good humor."

"What was the matter with her to-day?" asked Jessica curiously. "She
behaved like a bad child in English this morning, followed it up in
geometry; and Anne says that in rhetoric class Miss Chester lost all
patience with her and gave her a severe lecturing."

"I might as well tell you at once that Eleanor's opinion of us is far
from flattering," said Grace, half laughing, although there was a hurt
look on her face. "She says we are all goody-goodies and that we make
her tired. She also requested me to mind my own business."

"She said that to you? Just wait until the next time I see her,"
blustered Nora, "I'll tell her what I think of her."

"On the contrary, we must treat her better, if anything, than before,"
said Anne quietly. "Don't you remember we promised Mrs. Gray that we
would try to help her?"

"Yes, I remember all that; but I can't bear to have any one say horrid
things to Grace," grumbled Nora.

"What a queer girl she is," said Jessica. "Yesterda