ich way they were
voting, and so on. So I thought you might like to reconsider your vote.
I certainly, considering position in the matter, want you to have the
chance to do so. Now, can we have this point thoroughly discussed?"
Then, as no one rose, "Miss Wales, won't you tell us what you think?"

Betty stared helplessly at Jean for a moment and then, assisted by
vigorous pushes from Katherine and Rachel, who sat on either side of
her, rose hesitatingly to her feet. "Miss Eastman,--I mean, madame
president," she began. She stopped for an instant to look at her
audience. Apparently the class of 19-- was merely astonished and puzzled
by Jean's suggestion; there was no indication that any one--except
possibly a few of the Hill girls--had any idea of her motive. "Madame
president," repeated Betty, forcing back the lump that had risen in her
throat when she realized that the keeping of Eleanor's secret lay
largely with her, "Miss Watson is my friend, and I was very much pleased
to have her for our representative. But I do feel, and I believe the
other girls do, as they come to think it over, that it would have been
better to elect our representative. Then we should every one of us have
had a direct interest in the result of the debate. Besides, all the
other classes elected theirs, and so I think, if Miss Watson is
willing----"

"Miss Watson is perfectly willing," broke in Jean. "A positive
engagement unfortunately prevents her being here to say so, but she
authorized me to state that she preferred the elective choice herself,
and to tell you to do just as you think best in the matter. She----Go
on, Miss Wales."

"Oh, that was all," said Betty hastily slipping back into her seat.

A group of girls in the farthest corner of the room clapped vigorously.

"Nothing cut-and-dried about that," whispered Katherine to Adelaide
Rich.

"Are there any more remarks?" inquired the president. No one seemed
anxious to speak, and she went on rather aimlessly. "Miss Wales has
really covered the ground, I think. The other classes all elected their
debaters, and I fancy they want us to do the same. As for the
faculty--well, I may as well say that they almost insist upon a change."

"Good crawl," whispered Katherine, who was quick to put two and two
together, to Adelaide Rich, who never got the point of any but the most
obvious remarks, and who now looked much perplexed.

Meanwhile Betty had been holding whispered consultations with so