ful girl. She had at least
saved Anne from a cruel attack, but how much longer she could do so was a
question. Miriam would undoubtedly bring up the subject at the first class
meeting, and Grace was not so sure, now, that the girls would be willing
to overlook the loss of the signals when she told them of it.

"I shall be loyal to Anne, no matter what it costs me," she decided. "She
has done nothing wrong, and Miriam will find that she cannot trample upon
either of us with impunity. As for Jessica and Nora, I know they will
agree with me."

Under cover of conversation, Grace whispered to Jessica that she wished
her to remain after the others had gone, and to ask Nora and Anne to do
the same.

When the last of the callers had said good-bye, and the four chums had the
room to themselves, Grace told Nora and Jessica about Anne's mishap, and
how utterly innocent of blame she was.

"Do you mean to tell me that Miriam meant Anne when she said she could
name the girl?" demanded Nora.

"She did, indeed," replied Anne, "and if it had not been for Grace she
would have made things very unpleasant for me."

"Humph," ejaculated the fiery Nora, "then all I have to say is that I
don't see how a nice boy like David ever happened to have a horrid
hateful, scheming sister like Miriam. Stand up for Anne? Well I rather
think so! Let Miriam dare to say anything like that to me."

"Or me," said Jessica.

"I knew you girls would feel the same as I do," said Grace. "Anne has some
true friends, thank goodness. You see Miriam is basing all her
suppositions on the fact that Anne was allowed to come to practice. She
doesn't know anything about the loss of the signals. You remember she
objected to Anne seeing the practice game. Now she will try to show that
she was right in doing so."

"Let her try it," said Jessica, "She'll be sorry."

"I am not so sure of that," said Anne quietly. "You know that Miriam has
plenty of influence with certain girls, while I am only a stranger about
whom no one cares except yourselves and the boys and Mrs. Gray.

"You are the brightest girl in school just the same," said Nora, "and that
counts for a whole lot. Miss Thompson likes you, too, and our crowd is not
to be despised."

"You are the dearest people in the world," responded Anne gratefully.
"Please don't think that I am unappreciative. You have done far too much
for me, and I don't want you to get into trouble on my account. As long as
you girls c