ow what lies back of her disagreeable manner.
Why are you so interested in hearing about her, Mabel?"

"She is making herself the subject of considerable censure among the
juniors and seniors by snubbing the girls of her own class and calmly
announcing that she wishes to make only powerful and influential friends
in college," returned Mabel. "You know, of course, the attitude of the
old students toward freshmen. This Miss Atkins is either laboring under
the impression that she is an exception to tradition, or else she has no
sense of the fitness of things. At first, I am sorry to say, a few of
the seniors looked upon her as a joke, but the reaction has set in, and,
like Humpty Dumpty, she is going to take a great fall. When she does,
all the king's horses and all the king's men won't be of any assistance
to her in getting her back from where she tumbled. I don't believe she
realizes that she is making herself ridiculous.

"I was at Vinton's last Saturday afternoon. Jessie Meredith invited
another senior and me to luncheon there. Imagine our surprise when a
prim, precise little figure marched up to our table and seated herself
as calmly as though she were the president of the senior class. There is
room for four at those tables, you know, and we had not reserved ours.
Still, there were plenty of other tables at which she might have seated
herself. It was rather embarrassing for all of us, but it was worse when
she tried to break into the conversation. She insisted on expounding her
views on whatever we discussed. We were compelled to cut short our
luncheon and flee to Martell's for our dessert. We escaped at the moment
the waitress was serving her luncheon, so she couldn't very well rise
and pursue us. If I had been alone, I might have stayed, but Jessie was
disgusted, and I was Jessie's guest."

Grace had listened to Mabel's recital with troubled eyes. "I never
before knew a girl quite like Miss Atkins," she said slowly. "What is it
you wish me to do for her, Mabel?"

"Wise young sophomore," laughed Mabel. "How did you guess it?"

"You are not given to footless gossip," replied Grace quietly. "Besides,
I live at Wayne Hall."

"Cleverer and cleverer," commented the senior, in mock admiration. "This
is my idea. I had hoped that, being in the same house with her, you
might be able to guide her gently along the beaten trail made by girls
like you. However, after what you have told me, I am afraid you are not
the one t