ad, young ladies, to see you in such good company. Miss Steele
is well worth cultivating," she said. "Come this way. You will be
seated in the Junior division. It is probable that you will be placed
in that grade permanently. Mrs. Tellingham will see you in her office
in the next building immediately after supper."

Ruth and Helen followed the doll-like teacher to their seats. The girl
whom Mary Cox had called "Heavy" (and, indeed, it was a most
appropriate name) was already seated, and was right at Ruth's elbow.

"Oh, I hope they'll be seated soon," Ruth heard this over-plump girl
murmur. "This is cup-custard night, and I'm so-o hungry."

The tables were laid nicely. There were several waitresses, and
besides Miss Picolet, there were at least four other ladies whom Ruth
knew must be teachers. The hall was by no means filled. There were
not more than a hundred and fifty girls present. The door at the far
end opened and a handsome, white-haired, pink-cheeked lady entered.
She mounted a slightly raised platform and stood for a moment
overlooking the room.

"It's Mrs. Tellingham," whispered the fat girl to Ruth, seeing the
question in the latter's face.

The Preceptress was a really handsome lady--perhaps forty-five, perhaps
ten years older. Her perfectly white hair, thick and well arranged,
seemed to have been the result of something besides age. Here face was
quite free from any age-marks. There was a kind look in her eyes; a
humorous expression about her mouth. Helen leaned toward Ruth and
whispered:

"I know I shall just love her, Ruth--don't you?"

"And you won't be alone in that, Infant," said the girl on Helen's
other hand. "Now!"

Mrs. Tellingham raised her hand. The school arose and stood quietly
while she said grace. Another motion of the hand, and they sat down
again. The bustle of supper then began, with the girls talking and
laughing, the waitresses serving a plain, hot meal, and everybody in
apparent good-nature, and happy. Ruth could scarcely pay attention to
the food, however, she was so much more interested in these who were to
be her school-fellows.

CHAPTER VII

THE UPEDES

It was all so new and strange to Helen and Ruth that neither had
considered the possibility of homesickness. Indeed, how could they be
homesick? There was too much going on at Briarwood Hall for the
newcomers to think much of themselves.

The plump girl next to Ruth seemed of a friendly disp