to meet Ruth and Arline?" asked Anne. "Suppose both of
them arrive at Vinton's before we do?"

"I thought of that, too," chuckled Grace, "so Arline is to come here,
and Ruth is to wait for us at Vinton's. They can't possibly meet until
we are there to manage matters. Arline ought to be here by this time.
Shall we go downstairs and wait for her?"

"There's the door bell now," said Anne. "That must be Arline."

Her supposition proved correct. Just as they reached the foot of the
stairs the maid admitted the fluffy-haired little girl.

"Hello!" she called merrily. "I'm strictly on time, you see."

"So are we," smiled Anne. "Shall we start at once?"

"Yes, indeed," emphasized Arline. "I'm starved. I wasn't prepared in
Greek to-day, and rushed through my luncheon in order to snatch a few
minutes' study before class. I had my trouble for my pains, too. The
bell rang before it was my turn to recite. Wasn't that fortunate?"

"I should say so," agreed Grace. "If it had been I, Professor Martin
would have called on me first. You were born lucky, Daffydowndilly."

"I don't think so," replied Arline gloomily. "I have all kinds of
miserable, unpleasant things to bother me."

Anne and Grace exchanged significant glances behind the little girl's
back. There was a chance for the success of their scheme. Arline was
evidently unhappy over her cavalier treatment of Ruth.

During the short walk to Vinton's all mention of Ruth's name was tacitly
avoided. Arline chattered volubly about the reception. She had not
enjoyed herself particularly. She had taken a freshman by the name of
Violet Darby, who lived on the top floor of Morton House. She was
considered the freshman beauty.

"Oh, I remember her!" exclaimed Grace. "Gertrude Wells introduced me to
her. I asked for a dance, but her card was full to overflowing. She is
beautiful. She has such wonderful golden hair, and her brown eyes are in
such striking contrast to her hair and fair complexion. She is awfully
popular, I suppose."

"Yes, the Morton House girls are all rushing her. I was surprised to
think she accepted my invitation," returned Arline.

"I don't think that was so very surprising," declared Grace bluntly.
"Arline Thayer is also a Morton House favorite."

"Violet is the reigning favorite just at present," rejoined Arline.
"It's her fatal beauty. She is a very nice girl, though. Not a bit
snobbish or conceited. Everyone in the house likes her. You must become
bett