Episcopal
Chapel, which had given the hill its name, Anne Pierson joined them. She
looked grave and excited, and there was a feverish glow in her eyes.

"Anne, my child," exclaimed Grace, who always seemed much older than the
others, "how late do you study at night? I believe you are working too
hard. You look tired out."

"I'm not tired," replied Anne. "I don't mind studying. Only so much has
happened in the last few days! And now we're going to luncheon with Mrs.
Gray. I've seen her house. It's very beautiful from the outside, more
beautiful than the Nesbits', I think, because it is older and there is
such a pretty garden at the side."

"Anne," said Jessica, "we're counting on you to win the prize. There is
no reason why a rich girl like Miriam Nesbit should get it. She doesn't
need the money, in the first place; and, in the second, she's already
had enough glory to turn her head. Being beaten won't hurt her at all."

"I would rather win it," answered Anne, with passionate fervor, "than
almost anything in the world. And think of the big prize of $100! If I
could win that----" Words failed to express her enthusiasm and she
paused and clasped her hands.

"Oh, well, we won't expect that of you," replied Grace, "Nobody could be
expected to pass a perfect examination. That's an impossible
achievement."

"_I_ shall try, anyway," said Anne in a low voice.

Just then they were joined by a young man of about eighteen, who lifted
his hat politely to them.

"May I walk with you?" he asked of Grace. "You seem to be going my way
this morning."

"Certainly, David, we are going your way. We are lunching with your next
door neighbor, Mrs. Gray. But you must let me introduce you to Miss
Pierson. Anne, this is Mr. Nesbit, Miriam's brother."

Anne flushed at the mention of Miriam's name and bowed distantly to the
newcomer, who was a junior at the High School and quite grown-up to the
young freshmen.

David Nesbit, like his sister, was tall, dark and handsome; but unlike
her, he was quiet and unassuming. He, too, stood at the head of his
classes, but he was not athletic, as Miriam was, and spent most of his
time in the school laboratory, experimenting, or working at home on
engines and machinery of his own contriving.

However, there was nothing snobbish in David's attitude. He greeted Anne
as cordially as he had the others.

"We never see you now, David," continued Grace. "You are always so busy
with your inventions an