most successful plays have been written by men
and women outside the profession," argued Anne. "I wish I could write,
but I know my limitations and they stop this side of authorship. But why
did you ask me if I could write a play, Emma?"

"Marian Cummings gave a spread the other night to all the seniors on the
campus who weren't lucky enough to get away from Overton for
Thanksgiving. We were talking about what the senior class might do in
the way of stunts, and some one proposed that we ought to give a play
after midyears. You know our class has never done anything of the sort
since we entered college. Naturally, we were all in favor of the idea.
We all agreed that we wanted something besides Shakespeare for a change,
but no one could suggest anything else. We wanted something really
representative, and the majority of these plays for amateurs are rather
trivial. Finally, Sara Emerson suggested that the play be written by a
member of the senior class. There was a general protest, and Elizabeth
Wade asked Sara if she would mind writing it. Rather unkind in her,
wasn't it?" asked Emma, with a reminiscent chuckle.

Her friends laughed with her. The mere idea of frivolous little Sara
Emerson as a playwright was distinctly amusing.

"Sara didn't mind our laughing. She and Julia giggled over it, too. Then
Marian Cummings suddenly thought of a splendid plan." Emma paused in
order to impress her hearers.

"For goodness' sake, go on, Emma," begged Miriam. "Don't ask us to guess
the plan, either."

"I'm not going to ask you to guess it. I stopped talking merely to allow
my words to sink deeply into your minds. Marian wants to make it an
honor competition affair."

"What's an 'honor competition affair'?" asked Elfreda.

"I'm surprised at your question. I should think you 'could see' the
meaning from the words themselves," teased Emma. "You see almost
everything."

"I'll be revenged on you for that thrust," threatened Elfreda, joining
in the laughter that greeted Emma's remark.

"Do you mean that any member of the senior class may compete, not for a
money prize, but for the honor alone?" asked Grace.

"That is precisely my meaning," said Emma. "We thought we would have an
honor pin made, something worthy of the girl who wins. The class will
give her a supper and drink her down, and there will be various
demonstrations and jollifications for her especial benefit."

"Why not give the four classes a chance, and make it a