educed
to hysterics.

"The poor editor," gurgled Priscilla. "He's always after a scoop, and
he's certainly got one this time."

"Where is it, Patty--the paper?" gasped Bonnie.

"I threw it away," said Patty, sulkily.

Priscilla rummaged it out of the waste-basket, and the four bent over it
delightedly.

Ireland's eminent astronomer spending a few weeks
in America lecturing at the principal
colleges--His famous discovery of the rings of
Saturn made during a balloon ascension three
thousand feet in the air--Though this is his first
visit to the States, he speaks with only a slight
brogue--Loyal son of old Erin

"Patty, Patty! And you, of all people, to be so gullible!"

"Professor James Harkner Wallis's parents will be writing to Prexy next
to say that their son can't lecture here any more if he is to be
subjected to this sort of thing."

"It's disgusting!" said Bonnie Connaught, feelingly.

"When you've got through laughing, I wish you'd tell me what to do."

"Tell Professor Phelps it was a slip of the pen."

"A slip of the pen to the extent of half a column is good," said the
Twin.

"I think you girls are beastly to laugh when I am probably being
expelled this minute."

"Faculty meeting doesn't come till four," said Bonnie.

Patty sat down by the desk and buried her head in her arms.

"Patty," said Priscilla, "you aren't crying, are you?"

"No," said Patty, savagely; "I'm thinking."

"You will never think of anything that will explain that."

Patty looked up with the air of one who has received an inspiration.
"I'm going to tell him the truth."

"Don't do anything so rash," pleaded the Twin.

"That is, of course, the only thing you can do," said Priscilla. "Sit
down and write him a note, and I'll promise not to laugh till you get
through."

Patty stood up. "I think," she said, "I'll go and see him."

"Oh, no. Write him a note. It's loads easier."

"No," said Patty, with dignity; "I think I owe him a personal
explanation. Is my hair all right? If you girls reveal this to a single
person before I come back, I'll not tell you a thing he says," she added
as she closed the door.

Patty returned half an hour later, just as they were finally settling
down to tea. She peered around the darkening room; finding only four
expectant faces, she leisurely seated herself on a cushion on the floor
and stretched out her hand for a stea