ad the mention of the
other girl's name for honors that she coveted for herself?

She reached over and put a lump of sugar into her cup of cocoa before
she trusted herself to reply. When she spoke again, her voice was
perfectly natural.

"Marj would certainly be great as president," she said sweetly; "except
for one thing--and that's the very thing that's keeping her away this
afternoon; she's more interested in athletics and Scout activities--in
fact, anything where Miss Phillips is concerned"--she paused for a
second to allow the girls who were not Scouts time to think it
over--"more interested than she is in class affairs! I begged and begged
her to give up hockey this afternoon, but she wouldn't! And I think our
president, whoever she is, especially at this important time, should
give all the interest possible to the class."

"That's right, Ruth," agreed Evelyn, who had really been coached upon
what to say in the case of such a situation arising. "And another
thing--why don't we save Marj for senior president? She'd make a
perfectly wonderful one then!"

"Yes, that's a good idea," commented Doris; and here the conversation
lost its general tone. But Ruth felt satisfied; the purpose of her tea
had not been in vain. She had sown the seed of opposition to Marjorie,
and even if she herself were not elected to the office, she would have
the satisfaction of knowing that she had kept Marjorie from it. And
senior year was a long way off; perhaps Marjorie might lose her
popularity by then. At any rate, she felt assured that the present
danger was avoided.

It was only quarter of eight when she and Evelyn made their way to the
English class-room, where Doris had scheduled the class meeting. The
president and one or two others were already there. But Ruth had no
intention of discussing the matter again; indeed, her idea in coming
early was to ward off any attempt to change the sentiment she had
started at her tea.

By eight o'clock, nearly twenty girls had arrived, and Doris called the
meeting to order.

"I don't see why people can't be interested enough to come on time!"
remarked Ruth, significantly. The observation seemed general, but as
Marjorie Wilkinson and Lily Andrews entered the room a few minutes
later, when the roll was being called, the girls remembered the remark,
and the shaft went home.

"I certainly want to congratulate the reception committee," said Doris
at the beginning of the meeting,--"and partic