ea--during
recreation. I have not seen her out a single morning yet."

So Dorothy mused, and so she acted according to the logical result of
that musing. At recreation time that evening Dorothy tapped gently on
the door of Number Twelve.

The door was slightly ajar, and Dorothy could hear the sounds of papers
being hastily gathered up. Then Viola came to the entrance.

"May I come in?" asked Dorothy, surprised that Viola should have made
the question necessary.

"Oh, I am so busy--but of course--Did you want to see me?" and there
was no invitation in the voice or manner.

"Just for a moment," faltered Dorothy, determined not to be turned away
without a hearing.

Viola reluctantly opened the door. Then she stepped aside without
offering a chair.

"I have been worried about you," began Dorothy, rather miserably. "Are
you ill, Viola?"

"111? Why not at all. Can't a girl attend to her studies without
exciting criticism?"

Dorothy's face burned. "Oh, of course. But I did not see you out at
all--"

"Next time I leave my room I'll send the Nicks word," snapped Viola.
"Then they may appoint a committee to see me out!"

Dorothy was stung by this. She had expected that Viola would resent
the interference--try to keep to her chosen solitude--but the rudeness
was a surprise.

"But you are getting pale, Viola," she ventured. "Couldn't you
possibly take your exercise with me to-morrow? I would so like to have
you. The walk over the mountains is perfectly splendid now."

"Thank you," and Viola's black eyes again looked out of their depths
with that strange foreign keenness. "But I prefer to walk alone."

Dorothy was certain a tear glistened in Viola's eye.

"Alone!" repeated the visitor. "Viola, dear, if you would only let me
be your friend--"

"Dorothy Dale!" and the girl's eyes flashed in anger. "I will have
none of your preaching. You came here to pry into my affairs just as
you did on the train, when you made me tell all about my dear, darling
mother's illness, before those giggling girls. Yes, you need not play
innocent. I know the kind of girl you are. 'Sugar coated!' But you
may take your sympathy where strangers will be fooled by it. Try it on
some of the Babes. But you must never again attempt to meddle in my
affairs. If you do I'll tell Miss Higley. So there! Are you
satisfied now?"

Dorothy was stunned. Was this flaming, flashing girl the same that had
smiled upon her when