m in the library. He was busy with a book on
aviation. She snatched the book from him, threw it across the room and
expressed her opinion of himself and his friends in very plain terms.
Without a word David picked up his book and walked out of the library,
leaving her in full possession of the field.

CHAPTER V

ON THE EVE OF BATTLE

But little time remained before the first basketball game of the series
between the sophomores and juniors. Both teams had been untiring in their
practice. There had been no further altercations between them as to the
use of the gymnasium, for the juniors, fearing the wrath of Miss Thompson,
were more circumspect in their behavior, and let the sophomore team
strictly alone.

"They are liable to break out at any time, you can trust them just as far
as you can see them and no farther, and that's the truth," cried Nora
O'Malley. The sophomore players were standing in the corridor outside the
gymnasium awaiting the pleasure of the juniors, whose practice time was
up.

"They are supposed to be out of here at four o'clock," continued Nora,
"and it's fifteen minutes past four now. They are loitering on purpose
They don't dare to do mean things openly since Miss Thompson lectured them
so, but they make up for it by being aggravating."

"Never mind, Nora," said Grace, smiling at Nora's outburst. "We'll whip
them off the face of the earth next Saturday."

"Well, I hope so," said Nora, "I am sure we are better players."

"What outrageous conceit," said Jessica, and the four girls laughed
merrily.

"By the way, Grace," said Anne, "I want to ask you something about that
list you gave me. I don't quite understand what one of those signals
means."

"Trot it out," said Grace. "I'll have time to tell you about it before the
practice actually begins."

Anne took out her purse and began searching for the list. It was not to be
found.

"Why, how strange," she said. "I was looking at it this morning on the way
to school. I wonder if I have lost it. That would be dreadful."

She turned her purse upside down, shaking it energetically, but no list
fell out.

"Oh, never mind," said Grace, seeing Anne's distress. "It's of no
consequence. No one will ever find it anyway. Suppose it were found, who
would know what it meant?"

"Yes, but one would know," persisted Anne, "because I wrote 'Sophomore
basketball signals' on the outside of it. Oh, dear, I don't see how I
could have been so carele