e girls all went
out to prepare the refreshments. Miss Phillips flashed Mrs. Johnson a
grateful look; the tact and good sense of the older woman had prevented
the misfortune from becoming a tragedy.

CHAPTER VII

THE JAPANESE FETE

When the disappointed girls left Mrs. Johnson's home at the conclusion
of the surprise party, Marjorie probably looked most dejected of all.
She resolutely avoided Ruth's society, feeling that she could not bear
her "I told you so" attitude; instead, she sought Lily, who seemed to
understand how she felt. The girls walked in silence; Lily knew her
room-mate well enough now to realize that talking would not help, and
she discreetly refrained from intruding upon her thoughts.

When they reached their own room, Marjorie threw herself upon the bed
with a sob. Lily sat down beside her and put her arm around her neck.

"Marj, please don't take it so hard," she begged. "It won't do any
good."

"Of course it won't," Marjorie replied, brokenly. "But I cared so much
about her liking us."

"Well, she may, yet. Maybe she was frightened--and homesick. Why don't
you go down to see her all by yourself?"

The suggestion brought Marjorie a ray of hope. She dried her eyes, and
squeezed Lily's hand gratefully.

"I certainly will do that!" she exclaimed. "Thank you for suggesting
it."

The following day, Sunday, was mild and beautiful; Marjorie was so glad
to see that the rain was gone, and so hopeful about her new project,
that she felt quite cheerful again. She selected one of her prettiest
dresses--a pale pink voile--and also wore her pink silk sweater which
matched it so perfectly.

"I won't bother with a hat," she thought. "It's so warm, and it will
seem more informal without one."

It was only a few minutes' walk to Mrs. Johnson's house, and she reached
it in no time. With trembling fingers, she rang the doorbell. The woman
herself answered the summons.

"How do you do, Mrs. Johnson?" she said pleasantly. And then, just as if
she were paying an ordinary call on one of her own friends, "Is Frieda
in?"

Mrs. Johnson smiled. "Yes. Do come in, and sit down--Marjorie--isn't
that your name? Let's talk a little first, and then I'll call her."

Marjorie sat down upon the edge of the sofa, and leaned forward eagerly.
She was curious for news of this strange girl, who so baffled everybody,
even Miss Phillips and kind Mrs. Johnson.

"She isn't civilized, Marjorie," said the older woman.