keeping hot
for you. I'll go down with you and entertain you while you eat. I have a
letter from Elfreda which I've been keeping as a surprise. There is
something in it that you will be glad to know."

The "something" was Elfreda's announcement that Miriam had invited her
to go to Oakdale for the Easter holidays.

"That settles it, Emma, you simply must come home with me!" exclaimed
Grace. "You know you delight in J. Elfreda."

"I do, I do," solemnly agreed Emma. "I'll think it over, Gracious, and
if my finances can be stretched to cover my railroad fare I'll be 'wid
yez.' But who will look after the Harlowites if I fold my tents like the
Arabs and set sail for Oakdale?"

"I don't know yet. Louise Sampson, perhaps. She is so capable and the
girls not only like her but respect her as well. I must talk with her
first. She may not wish to assume the responsibility. Then again she may
have other Easter plans. We shall manage, somehow, to arrange things
satisfactorily."

Louise Sampson had no definite Easter plans, so she said, when Grace
broached the subject to her the following day. With never-failing
good-nature she readily agreed to take charge of Harlowe House during
the absence of Grace and Emma, provided Grace felt confident that she
was able to measure up to her responsibility.

"I'm so thankful that's arranged," sighed Grace as Louise left her
office after luncheon to return to her classes. "I wish some other
things could be as easily disposed of."

As she dressed that afternoon to go to Miss Wilder's office she was far
from joyous. She disliked the idea of meeting Evelyn in the dean's
office. She was confident that Miss Wilder would state frankly to Evelyn
why she had been spared.

Her conjecture was only too well grounded. When Evelyn appeared in the
dean's office at precisely four o'clock, half anxious, half defiant,
Miss Wilder read her a lecture, the cutting severity of which caused
Evelyn to flush and pale with humiliation and anger. "Remember, Miss
Ward," she emphasized, "it is solely due to Miss Harlowe's intercession
in your behalf that I have decided to allow you to remain at Overton."

"Oh, dear, I hope she isn't going to make Evelyn apologize to me," was
Grace's thought. "Why did Miss Wilder ask me to come here to-day?"

As if in answer to her unspoken question, Miss Wilder went on to say,
"Miss Harlowe came to me last night and asked me not to send you home. I
requested her to be present to-