informed Marjorie. "Leila brought Helen
Trent, Katherine, Ethel Laird and Martha Merrick to the station in her
car. Ethel expects a freshman cousin from Troy, New York. Martha came
along because she had nothing else to do. She said she would like to
see if my hunch came true. She had never yet heard of one that amounted
to a row of pins. She was sure you would not be on the 5.50 train. Oh,
wait until I catch sight of her! She's circulating around the platform
somewhere."

"So are my pals." Marjorie glanced about her, endeavoring to locate her
chums. None of them were far away. Lucy and Katherine Langly were
already approaching. Muriel and Ronny were still engaged with the group
of Silverton Hall girls. Neither Robina Page nor Portia Graham were
among them. It was quite likely they had not yet returned to Hamilton.

"Just as soon as we can collect your crowd, Marjorie, we'll spin you
along to the Hall. Then, I beg to inform you, you are needed at a grand
rally at Baretti's. Let us have faith in the stars that those four pals
of yours have not recklessly accepted invitations to other celebrations.
And if they have, I shall be in a high temper. I warn you." Leila showed
her white teeth in a smile that was certainly no indication of
ill-temper.

"They haven't, Leila," Marjorie happily assured. She was thinking what a
joy it was to see Leila again. "On the train we all agreed not to accept
any invitations to dinner on this first evening. Our plan was to take
you and Vera, Helen and Katherine and Hortense Barlow to Baretti's for a
feast, provided you were all here. If some of you were missing, then we
thought we would take those of you who had come back to the Colonial,
and wait until you all arrived for the other celebration. You see, it is
to be what you might call a 'first friends'' party. Helen was the first
girl we met. Now she and Jerry are college pals. Katherine is Lucy's
first friend. Muriel is so fond of Hortense, and Ronny and I look upon
you and Vera as nearer than any of the others. I am fond of Robin Page,
and Portia Graham, too. They really ought to be included. Are they here,
and how long have you and Vera been back?"

Marjorie made her explanations and asked her questions almost in the
same breath.

"We have been here three days. We have been really busy though. We had
our unpacking to do, and we changed the furniture around in our room. We
spent one whole afternoon playing golf. We both adore the Hamil