and Doris Sands was
really tired out and needed a rest. So, in sheer desperation, Lily
sought Ruth, and always found her interested and helpful.

One afternoon when Marjorie was out walking with Alice Endicott, Lily,
with notebook and pencil in hand, hurried over to Ruth's room. She found
her sitting languidly beside her wicker tea-table, playing with the
tea-ball, and carrying on a disconcerted conversation with Evelyn.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to knock, Lily Andrews!" she
exclaimed. "I thought you knew us well enough by this time----"

Lily laughed, nevertheless highly flattered. It is always more or less
of a triumph to conquer a dislike, and Lily felt genuinely pleased at
the change in Ruth's attitude toward her.

"You're awfully good----" she began.

"Not at all!" protested Ruth. "But Evelyn and I are always at home to
our friends!" Then, noticing the notebook, "What's the important
business now, Lil?"

"Oh, it's class stuff again! I want your advice, Ruth."

"It's yours for the asking!" replied the hostess, magnanimously, well
pleased to be so obviously within the "inner circle."

"You really ought to be class president, Ruth. You do more work than I
do, and don't get the credit."

"I don't want credit," lied Ruth; "all I want is our class's good."

"Yes, I know. Well, here is my present trouble. You know, every single
class since the foundation of the school has succeeded in holding their
meeting in spite of the sophomores' attempt at interference. Why can't
we break the spell? What could we possibly do?"

Ruth sat up straight in her chair and half closed her eyes, lost in
contemplation.

"We _will_ break the spell!" she announced, slowly. "I think I have a
new idea!"

"Ruth, you are so clever!" exclaimed Evelyn, who could not keep out of
the conversation. "I almost believe you can do it!"

"Tell us what your plan is!" begged Lily, impatient with even a moment's
unnecessary delay.

"The private detective system--and by that I mean to have each girl in
our class responsible for one or two freshmen, and know where they are
every minute of the day. In that way, all of us would really be on guard
all the time!"

"Wonderful!" cried Lily enthusiastically. "Would it really be possible
to do it?"

"I don't see why not; the struggle lasts only six weeks--nearly two are
gone already. And if everybody will work----"

"That's great, Ruth," interrupted Lily, deciding instantly to adopt