rounded by slush?" he asked,
casually.

"No!" Jim said, wonderingly. "Why?"

"Didn't you? You should have."

"Do it the next warm night when you're all dressed up."

"It's a great way to cool off," Dick advised.

"What are they talking about, Poll?" Lois demanded.

Polly explained. "It was such a lark watching them!" she concluded,
laughing.

"I'm going to write," Betty began, and then stopped abruptly.

"Write what?" Dick asked.

Betty's expression changed. "Jemima!" she said slowly; "I was going to
say, that the next composition I wrote would be on the Quest of the
Missing Sherbet and then I suddenly remembered that I wouldn't have to
write any more. This is our last night," she added, solemnly.

Polly and Lois looked at her. The smiles faded from their lips, and they
ate the rest of the sherbet in silence.

CHAPTER XX

COMMENCEMENT

Commencement was over. The service in the little church had been very
simple, but very beautiful. The Seniors dressed in the daintiest of
white lawn dresses had received their diplomas, and marched slowly down
the center aisle.

There had been a hurried scramble back to school. A change of clothes
and then the long line of carriages had started for the station.

Polly stood on the last step of the Senior porch. Lois and her mother
and father had just left for the train. They were returning to Albany
for a little while before leaving for the summer vacation.

Polly was going back to New York with Uncle Roddy in his car. She
watched the last carriage out of sight. There was an unnatural silence
about the school buildings and she looked dejectedly at the deserted
grounds. Uncle Roddy was saying good-by to Mrs. Baird at the door.

"Are you ready to start, Tiddledewinks?" he asked, handing her suitcase
to the chauffeur, and waiting to help her in the car.

Polly turned to Mrs. Baird.

"I suppose so; it's all over and I can't think of any excuse to stay,"
she said, making a pitiful attempt at a smile.

"Dear child," Mrs. Baird said, affectionately, "don't talk like that.
Seddon Hall always has a place for all her girls; a diploma doesn't make
any difference and I can promise that there will always be an extra warm
welcome for a certain little girl."

Polly kissed her impulsively. "I'll be back so often next year that
you'll get tired of me," she laughed, as she got into the car. Mrs.
Baird waved until they turned the bend in the road. Polly looked back in
a l