Gray, died in her freshman year, aged sixteen"?

The girls moved off quietly, conversing in low voices, leaving Anne
alone with her new friend.

"You are a very little girl to be so clever," said Mrs. Gray, patting
one of Anne's small wrists as she looked into the dark eyes. "Where do
you live, dear?"

"On River Street," replied Anne undergoing the scrutiny calmly, now she
found herself alone.

"River Street?" repeated Mrs. Gray, trying to recall whom she had ever
known living in that strange quarter of the town. "Have you been long in
Oakdale?" she went on.

"A few years, ma'am," replied Anne.

"And what is your father's business, my child?" continued the old lady
remorselessly.

Anne blushed and hung her head, and for a moment there was no reply to
the question. Presently she drew a sharp breath as if it hurt her to
make the confession.

"My father does not live here," was what she said. "My mother is an
invalid. My sister supports us with sewing. As soon as I finish in the
High School, I shall teach."

Mrs. Gray put an arm around the girl's waist and drew her down beside
her.

"I'm a stupid old woman, child. You must forgive me. Old people forget
their manners sometimes. Will you come and see me very soon? Perhaps
to-morrow after church you will take luncheon with me? I want to know
you better."

She drew a card from the beaded reticule that hung at her side.

"Remember, at half-past twelve," she said, giving the girl's hand an
extra squeeze as she rose to go.

After Mrs. Gray had taken her departure a free and easy atmosphere was
restored and the girls began talking and laughing without the
restriction of an older person's presence. Mrs. Harlowe shortly after
this also left them to themselves.

"Let's do some stunts," proposed Grace. "Nora, will you give us your
imitations?"

"Certainly," replied Nora, "if Miriam will promise to sing, and Jessica
will do her Greek dance, and Georgie will play for us."

"All right!" came a chorus of voices.

"We've done it oft before, but we'll do it o'er again if the company so
wishes," said Georgie Pine, one of the brightest and gayest girls in the
class.

The others seated themselves in a semicircle, while each girl gave her
little performance, and, at the conclusion, was applauded
enthusiastically. Nora had a real talent for mimicry; she convulsed her
audience with imitations of some of the High School teachers. When it
came Miriam's turn she sat down at