th reluctance. "I'd rather not mention names. Still, when
I heard it, I could not rest until I had asked you. The sophomores hope
to do something wonderful this year. We couldn't bear to believe for a
minute that there would be no basketball. We had planned to have a
tryout some day this week, after school. I'm so glad," she added
fervently. "Thank you, Miss Archer. Oh, pardon me," she turned to
Marjorie, "this is Miss Archer, our principal. Miss Archer, this young
lady wishes to see you. I met her in the corridor downstairs and
volunteered my services as guide."

With a courteous nod to Marjorie, the tall girl left the room and the
principal turned her attention toward the prospective freshman.

At the calm, kindly inquiry of the gray eyes Marjorie's feeling of
shyness vanished, and she said in her most soldierly manner, as though
speaking to her mother: "Miss Archer, my name is Marjorie Dean, and I
wish to enter the freshman class of Sanford High School. We moved to
Sanford from the city of B----. We have been here just a week. I was a
freshman in Franklin High School at B----."

Miss Archer took the young girl's hand in hers. Her rather stern face
was lighted with a welcoming smile. Marjorie's direct speech and frank,
honest eyes had pleased the older woman.

"I am glad to know that we are to have a new pupil," she said cordially.
"The freshman class is smaller than usual this year. So many girls leave
school when their grammar school course is finished. I wish we could
persuade these mothers and fathers to let their daughters have at least
a year of high school. It would help them so much in whatever kind of
work they elected to do later."

"That is what mother says," returned Marjorie, quickly. "My mother
intended to come with me to-day, but was unable to do so." She did not
go into details. Young as she was, Marjorie had a horror of discussing
her personal affairs with a stranger. "She will call upon you later."

"I shall be pleased to meet your mother," Miss Archer made courteous
answer. "The first and most important matter to be considered this
morning is your class standing. Let me see. B---- is in the same state as
the town of Sanford. I believe the system of credits is the same in all
the high schools throughout this state, as the examinations come from
the state board at the capital. What studies had you begun at B----?"

"English composition, algebra, physiology, American history and French,"
recited