"Her realization comes entirely too late," was the sarcastic reply. "She
should have thought things over before going to the registrar with
anything so silly."

"Ah!" ejaculated Grace. "I am glad to hear you admit that the trick you
played was silly. To my mind it was both senseless and unkind. However,
I did not come here to-day to discuss the ethics of the affair. Miss
Briggs has received a note forbidding her attendance at the sophomore
reception and advising her to leave Overton. It is signed 'Sophomore
Class.' It states her betrayal of two sophomores to the registrar as the
cause of its origin. What I wish to ask you is whether the sophomores
have really taken action in this matter, or whether you wrote this note
in order to frighten Miss Briggs into leaving college?"

"I do not admit your right to interfere, and I shall certainly not
answer your question, Miss Harlowe. You are decidedly impertinent, to
say the least," replied Alberta in a tone of suppressed anger. "I cannot
understand why you should take such an unprecedented interest in Miss
Briggs's affairs and I shall tell you nothing."

[Illustration: "I Am Sorry That We Have Failed to Come to an
Understanding."]

"Very well," said Grace composedly. "I see that I shall have to go to
each member of the sophomore class in turn in order to find out the
truth. I cannot believe that these girls are so lacking in college
spirit as to ostracize a newcomer, even though she did act unwisely."

"You would not dare to do it!" exclaimed Mary Hampton excitedly. She had
hitherto taken no part in the conversation.

"Why not?" asked Grace. "I am determined to go to the root of this
matter. I don't intend Miss Briggs shall leave college, or be sent to
coventry either. She has acted hastily, but she will live it down, that
is, unless word of it has traveled too far. Even so, I hardly think she
will leave college. I am sorry that we have failed to come to an
understanding."

Grace walked proudly toward the door. Inwardly she was deeply
disappointed at having failed, but she gave no sign of feeling her
defeat.

"Come back!" commanded Alberta Wicks harshly, as Grace stood with her
hand on the door knob. Grace turned and walked toward them. Her face
gave no sign of her surprise.

"Do you really intend to take up this affair with every member of the
sophomore class?" demanded Alberta, eyeing Grace sharply. There was a
faint note of dismay in her voice, despite her att