ght? Hurrah! Through Broadway, of course."

"Freshy? Oh, Freshy won't say anything. She wouldn't dare to, in the
first place."

"She'd dare fast enough," said Viola. "She isn't afraid of anything,
Freshy isn't. But she's safe, she won't say anything."

"What's all this?" demanded the Scapegoat, coming back with the empty
plate. "Plans? Does one hear them?"

"The apples are all gone," said Kitty Green. "We're going for some
to-morrow night, Goat. You'll go, too, of course?"

"Going out through Broadway," said Viola. "We haven't been out for more
than a week, and the moon will be nearly full to-morrow. It'll be
perf'ly fine, Goat, won't it?"

"Veto!" said Grace, calmly.

"Veto? Why, what do you mean?"

"What's wrong?"

"What has happened?"

"Nothing has happened. Boots are no longer free, that's all."

"Do speak English, Grace Wolfe! What do you mean?"

"There--are--to--be--no more--free-booting expeditions--through
Broadway. Is that sufficiently plain, or shall I spell the words?"

Blanche Haight rose to her feet, several of the other girls following
her. "What is the matter with you to-night, Goat?" she said. "We don't
seem to succeed in satisfying you. Aren't we good enough company for
you, perhaps?" And Blanche sneered in her own particular manner, of
which she was proud.

"I make no remarks," said the Scapegoat, in her quietest tones. "I have
not been personal. I merely say, while I lead this Gang, there will be
no more expeditions through Broadway."

"And how long do you suppose you will lead this Gang, if you play the
part of Pope and emperor?" demanded Blanche.

The other girls began to murmur and protest at this. "Listen to the
Goat!" said one and another. "She must have some reason, or she wouldn't
act so."

But Grace seized her opportunity.

"How long?" she repeated. "Not an hour! not a second! I resign. My last
act is to break up this meeting. To your tents, O Israel!"

Then arose such a confusion of whispering, exclaiming, disclaiming,
entreating, protesting, that no one voice could be heard. The owner of
the room, fairly roused for a moment (but indeed she had finished the
mouse), turned round to see what was wrong. For a moment she saw the
two leaders, Grace and Blanche, facing each other, the one pale and
quiet, the other red with anger, her eyes darting spiteful flames. Next
moment, Grace made a single quick movement, and the room was in
darkness. She had blown out the lamp.

"T