ogram, was announced. This was a time always given to social
intercourse. The company broke up into groups and chattered and laughed
in a friendly--if somewhat boisterous--way.

Newcomers and visitors were made welcome at this time. Nobody now came
near the Bray girls--not even Mr. Somers. Whether this was intentional
neglect on his part or not they did not know, for the teacher seemed busy
at the desk with first one and then another.

Sairy Pritchett and the club historian had their heads together, and the
latter, Mayme Lowry, was evidently adding several items to her "Club
Chronicles," which amused the two immensely. And there was a deal of
nudging and tittering over this among the other girls who gathered about
the arch-plotters.

"I'm glad they've got something besides us to giggle about," Lyddy
confided to her sister.

But 'Phemie was not sure that the ill-natured girls were not hatching up
some scheme to offend the Hillcrest party.

"I believe I'd like to go home," ventured 'Phemie.

"Aw! don't let 'em chase you away," exclaimed the young farmer.

"Oh, I know: 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never
hurt me!' But being called names--or, even having names _looked_ at
one--isn't pleasant."

Lyddy heard her and said quickly, her expression very decided indeed:

"We're not going--yet. Let us stay until the finish."

"Yes, by jove!" muttered Harris. "I'd just like to see what these Rubes
would dare do!"

But girls are not like boys--at least, some girls are not. They won't
fight fair.

The Hillcrest party need not have expected an attack in any way that could
be openly answered--no, indeed. But they did not escape.

Mr. Somers rang his desk bell at last and called the company to order.
After a song from the school song-book, in which everybody joined, the
"Club Chronicles" were announced.

This "history"--being mainly hits on what had happened in the community
since the last meeting of the Temperance Club--was very popular. Mayme
Lowry was a more than ordinarily bright girl, and had a gift for
composition. It was whispered that she wrote the "Pounder's Brook Items"
for the Bridleburg _Weekly Clarion_.

Miss Lowry rose and unfolded her manuscript. It was written in a somewhat
irreverent imitation of the scriptural "Chronicles;" but that seemed to
please the young folks here gathered all the more. She began:

"And it came to pass in the reign of King Westerville Somers, who was
lik