nderstand what those three Sans are trying hard to do. Miss Hale and
Miss Merrill are innocent. We can complain to the sports committee and
stop the game, but I'd rather not. Basket ball rules ban striking,
tripping and such malicious interferences. They don't ban talking. These
cheats know it. They annoyed me, because I wasn't expecting any such
trick. I never played worse. We are four points behind. It's principally
my fault, too. All we can do with dignity to ourselves is to try not to
notice their ragging during the second half."

"Queer kind of ragging," sputtered Janet Baird. "If they'd say mean
things we'd know better how to take them. Miss Weyman said right in my
ear, last half, 'You freshies certainly play a fast game. How do you do
it?' Her voice was as sweet as could be. It got on my nerves. Only for a
second or so, but long enough to take my attention from the ball. That
was her object."

The other members of the team had similar instances to relate. The ten
minutes' rest between halves was turned into an indignation meeting.
When the recall whistle blew, the incensed five took the floor in
anything but the collected, impersonal mood the game demanded.

The three Sans had spent their intermission talking to Leslie. She was
in high good humor over the success of her scheme. "You have them going.
Don't let up on them a minute. See that they don't make up those four
points. Hale and Merrill are playing finely."

"They don't suspect a thing, either," declared Natalie. "I am afraid
those freshies will set up a squeal to the sports committee if we win."

"If? You must win. No ifs about it," decreed Leslie. "What can they say?
You haven't broken the rules of the game. If they make a kick about it
they put themselves in the sorehead class."

Thus encouraged by their leader, the elated trio returned to the floor
primed for more mischief. Advised by Leslie, they kept quiet during the
first five minutes. Expecting to be again assailed by the irritating
murmurs, the freshmen met with a welcome silence on the part of their
tormentors. It lasted just long enough for the ragging to be doubly
irritating when it began afresh. Now on the defensive, the freshman five
steeled themselves to endure it with stoicism. Nevertheless, it was a
strain and put them at a subtle disadvantage. They managed to make up
two of the points they had lost. Fate then entered the lists against
them. Janet Baird made the serious mistake of thro