cried.

Aunt Jane's poll parrot was a mythical bird of wisdom that Sally always
appealed to in moments of excitement. Phyllis laughed at hearing the
familiar exclamation again.

"Oh, Sally, that does sound natural, I really feel that I am back at
school and that Old Chester and Janet are all a dream!" she exclaimed.

"Well, thank goodness they're not. Look here, Phyl. Do you know, I
think I'm a lot more excited about your twin than you are. In the
first place she is just the sort of girl we need at school," Sally
spoke seriously. "We have been the same lot of girls for, well three
years now, with only an occasional new one to jog us up, and I think
Janet will be a blessing. She'll be different, and that's what we
need."

"I hope she is in our class," Eleanor added.

"Well, of course I do too," Muriel said slowly, "but I don't see
anything the matter with us as we are, except that I do feel that it is
time we were acting a little older and not so like tomboys." She
looked meaningly at Sally. "We have officers this year, and, as Miss
Harding says, we will have added responsibilities, and I think we ought
to try and be more dignified."

Sally looked quickly from Phyllis to Eleanor and Rosamond. All three
looked surprised and a little angry. Sally laughed contentedly.

"Hear that poll? we are to be more dignified! Bless us. Muriel, but
you are a scream," she teased.

"I don't see why it's funny to want to be more grown up and serious."
Muriel's feelings were hurt, and she looked angrily at Sally.

"If we acted any differently we'd be affected," Eleanor announced with
conviction, "and I for one don't think that would be much of an
improvement."

"Surely we can hold our place in school without putting our hair up on
top of our heads,"--Phyllis laughed good naturedly, "but I think I know
what Muriel means," she added loyally.

"No, you don't, Phyl." Rosamond had kept quiet up until now but her
eyes had danced mischievously. "You none of you know, but I'll tell
you,"--she paused dramatically.

"Muriel has a beau." she announced. The girls all laughed, but she
went on quite seriously. "He takes her home from school and he carries
her books, so of course she has to grow up. Why, even the seniors
watch her from the study window in silent jealousy."

Phyllis looked at Muriel. There was no denying the change now. She
sighed.

"If you are going to talk like children, I'm going home." Muriel ros