ed Jessica.

"Of course I shall," replied Anne. "Remember you are all coming down to
see me, the very first Saturday that you can. I do hope the boys can
make arrangements to be there at the same time."

"How lovely it was of Mrs. Gibson to suggest a theatre party and offer
to chaperon us," said Nora.

"Everyone has been too sweet for anything," replied Anne, looking up
from her task with a fond smile at the three eager faces of her friends.

"You didn't have the least bit of trouble about getting away from
school, did you?" asked Jessica.

"No," replied Anne. "You see, I have enough counts to graduate now. I'm
not depending on any of my June exams. I can easily make up the time
when I come back."

"I imagine Marian Barber wishes that she hadn't been quite so hasty,"
said Nora. "She is going to miss an awfully nice trip."

"Perhaps we ought to send her an invitation," suggested Jessica.

"No, Jessica," said Grace gravely. "Marian must be the one to make
advances. If she comes back to us, it must be of her own free will. We
have done our part."

"Can we do anything to help you, Anne?" asked Grace.

"Yes," replied Anne, looking ruefully at the overflowing trunk. "You can
all come over and sit upon this trunk. I never shall get the lid down
any other way."

This having been successfully accomplished, the three girls took leave
of Anne, who promised to be on hand for a final session that night at
Grace's.

Before eight o'clock the next morning Anne departed for New York, laden
with flowers, magazines and candy, bestowed upon her by the Phi Sigma
Tau, who had risen before daybreak in order to be in time to see her
off. She had purposely chosen an early train, as she wished to arrive in
New York before the darkness of the winter evening closed in.

Mr. Southard and his sister were to meet her at the Jersey station, but
careful little soul that she was, Anne decided that in case anything
unforeseen arose to prevent their coming, she would have less difficulty
in finding her way about in daylight.

"Take good care of yourself, Anne," commanded Nora, patting Anne on the
shoulder.

"You do the same," replied Anne. "Don't forget that theatre party,
either."

"We'll be there," Grace assured her, as she followed Anne up the aisle
with her suit case. "By the way, Anne, here's my sweater. I thought you
might need it during rehearsals. The stage is likely to be draughty."

"Grace Harlowe, you are too good to me,"