rry in a voice so exactly like Dr. Caton's that both
girls laughed.

"He's dead right," answered Ginny, with her characteristic bluntness. "I
just wanted to amuse the others and make them think I was awfully clever
and that was plain outright conceit and selfishness. I guess that's the
way I do most things. Well, I've learned a lesson. And there isn't
anything I wouldn't do for you, Jerry Travis. If I don't play better
basketball Friday night than I ever have in my life, well, you can walk
all over me like dirt." There was a humble ring in Ginny's voice that
had surely never sounded there before!

But the hard part of Jerry's punishment came when the others, without
her, trooped off to the game against South High, the blue and gold
colors of Lincoln tied on their arms. It promised to be the most
exciting game of the season; if Lincoln could defeat South High it would
win the Interschool cup.

There had, alas, to be practiced a little more deception to explain why
Jerry remained at home. Gyp had announced that Jerry had a headache and
Mrs. Westley had been much concerned--Jerry, who never had an ache or a
pain! She had gone to Jerry's room, had tucked her in bed and had sat by
the side of the bed gently smoothing Jerry's guilty forehead.

"When I get through this I'll never, never tell a lie for anybody or
anything," vowed Jerry in her heart, as she writhed under the loving
touch.

Two hours later Gyp tiptoed to her door, opened it softly and peeped in.
Jerry, expecting her, sat bolt upright. Gyp bounded to the exact centre
of the bed.

"We _won_! We _won_! But, oh, _Jerry_, it was a squeak! Honest to
goodness, my heart isn't beating right _yet_. _Tied_, Jerry--at the
half. Then Muff Bowling on the South High made two spliffy baskets--they
were _great_, even if she made 'em! Our girls acted as though they were
just dummies, but didn't they wake up? You should have seen their
passing _then_. Why, honest, Midge Fielding was _everywhere_! Caught a
high ball and passed it _under_--before you could _wink_! And, oh,
Ginny--_she_ was _possessed_. She could make that basket _anywhere_.
And, _listen_, Jerry, with _only two minutes more to play_ if they
didn't make _another_ and then Ginny _fell_--_flat_, Jerry, with the
South High guard _right on her chest_ and her wrist doubled under
her--and she got up like a _flash_ and her face was as white as that
sheet--and _she made a basket_! _And we won!_" And Gyp, drawing a long,