as placidly as though nothing had happened within
the last hour to disturb her equanimity.

"Thank you ever so much, Mrs. Elwood," said Grace gratefully, walking up
to the dignified matron and shyly offering her hand.

"Nonsense, child!" was the reply. "You have nothing for which to thank
me. You don't suppose I would allow a new boarder to infringe upon the
rights of my old girls, do you?"

"No," admitted Grace. "I'm sorry that things had to happen that way,"
she added regretfully.

"Don't you worry about it any more, Miss Harlowe," comforted the older
woman. "It's nothing you are to blame for. You had the first right to
the room. I gave this girl Miss Gaines's old room. Her roommate is to be
a freshman, too. She hasn't arrived yet. Miss Atkins decided to pick out
her own room, I imagine. Evidently she took a fancy to yours. As soon as
you girls had gone, she gave me one awful look, gathered up her
belongings, and went to the other room without another word. I picked up
two or three things she dropped and carried them down for her. I
wouldn't be sorry if she went to some other house to board. She looks
like a trouble maker."

Grace was of the same opinion, but did not say so. Always eager to
excuse other people's shortcomings, she found it hard to account for the
feeling of strong dislike that had risen within her during her first
encounter with the young woman Elfreda had laughingly named the
Anarchist. She had hoped that the four freshmen at Wayne Hall would be
girls whom it would be a pleasure to know. She had looked forward to
meeting these newcomers and to assisting them in whatever way she could
best give help. Now at least one of her castles in the air had been
built in vain.

"Perhaps we may like Miss Atkins after we know her better," she said,
trying hard to keep the doubt she felt out of her voice.

Mrs. Elwood shook her head. "I hope she will improve on acquaintance,
but I doubt it. It isn't my principle, my dear, to speak slightingly of
any student in my house, but I am certain that this is not the last time
I shall have to lay down the law of Wayne Hall to Miss Atkins."

At this plain speaking Grace flushed but said nothing. She understood
that Mrs. Elwood's words had been spoken in confidence.

"I'm so glad to see you again, Mrs. Elwood," she smiled, bent on
changing the subject.

"And I to see you, my dear," was the hearty response. "I have missed my
Oakdale girls this summer."

After a fe