"Story," Tavia blurted out the entire tale in such a way that even Mrs.
Pangborn was obliged to admit she "knew how to string words together."

"My dear!" said that lady, when Tavia stopped, "I think this matter has
gone so far it will be best to make a public explanation."

"Let me make it?" asked the girl eagerly.

"If you wish," agreed Mrs. Pangborn.

"Where? When?" asked Tavia impatiently.

"Now, if you like," consulting her watch. "We had called a meeting of
the Glenwoods for five, it wants a quarter of that now. Suppose you
speak to them in the hall?"

"Gloriotious!" exclaimed Tavia, forgetting to whom she was making the
self-coined remark.

The girls were already filing into the hall. Dorothy went with
Rose-Mary, Tavia preferring to go in last and so show everyone the
spring hat. It certainly was pretty, no one could deny that, and, as
she stepped to the platform, at the signal from Mrs. Pangborn, she
looked as Dorothy had seen her look before--like an actress!

Her golden brown hair formed a halo about her face and the flowers
(what she called the spring hat) made a beautiful wreath buried in the
soft shining tresses.

A buzz of excitement greeted her appearance on the platform. Then she
began:

"My dear teachers (they were all present), friends and acquaintances!"

"Three cheers for the acquaintances," broke in one girl, and this was
the signal for a hearty cheer.

When order prevailed again, Tavia continued:

"I understand you have heard a queer story about the girls from Dalton"
(there was silence now), "and with the kind permission of our dear
principal, I will try to tell you all of that story. I have been
informed that you were told that Dorothy Dale and myself had been
arrested in a country place, taken to a lock-up and then bailed out!"
(Dorothy looked more surprised than any one present; this was the part
of the story she had never heard). "Well," went on Tavia, "that is so
absurd that I cannot imagine the complications that could possibly have
won such a story a hearing. But perhaps when I am here a few hours, I
will be allowed to laugh over the details. However, I will tell you
all exactly what did happen," and Tavia cleared her throat like a
veteran speaker.

"One lovely day last August, Dorothy Dale and her two cousins, Ned and
Nat White from North Birchland, took me for an automobile ride. We had
a number of adventures during the day and towards night something
happened