e knowledge that a certain independence of
thought and action was necessary if one would not become a mere tool used
by each and all of her friends. At Bitumen, her parents and Miss Hale had
influenced her. But there had been such a sweet unselfishness in all they
did, such an evidence that they were working for her good, that Elizabeth
had allowed their will to become her own. As she considered the matter
now, she could remember no instance when she had been conscious of feeling
that any other course of action save that which they suggested would have
been pleasing to her. She was fond of her roommate. Mary had helped her
over many a little difficulty in regard to classes and gym work. She was
one of those whole-souled girls who was more than ready and willing to
divide both her good times and her possessions.

Elizabeth had not become so interested in Miss O'Day that her presence at
the spread would cause her any great pleasure. Had Mary Wilson not shown
such a spirit of authority, such a desire to have her own will in this,
Elizabeth would have dropped the matter without a thought. But now she
felt that she would ask Miss O'Day. If she did so, she _would_ be an
independent person; if she did not, she would be doing merely as her
roommate wished, in a blind way, without knowing the reason for her
action.

While she was pondering the matter, there came back to her the words her
father had spoken when he had planned to send her to school. "The girls
will teach you more than any of the faculty." There was one thing they
would teach her, she decided instantly, and that was to form her own
opinions of people, and to follow out her own course of action. She would
ask Miss O'Day to her spread. Mary Wilson could come or stay away just as
she chose. Mary should decide that matter for herself.

When once Elizabeth made a decision, there was no dilly-dallying, no going
back and wondering if she had done the right thing. Taking up her pencil,
she began to jot down the names of those to be invited. Nora O'Day's name
headed the list with Azzie Hogan's tagged on at the last. The majority of
the girls were at class. Her only opportunity for seeing them was
immediately before dinner or during study-hour in the evening, providing
Mrs. Smiles did not keep too close a watch.

She wondered what Mary Wilson would think of asking Azzie Hogan. Azzie did
not take advantage of the social privileges of Exeter. Azzie was a
genius--a boarding