was puzzling Dorothy.

After a second's thought Dorothy said:

"We shall get on with her, I believe, but I can't think Arabella or
Patricia would be very comfortable here. Really, they will be obliged to
study here, and Arabella won't want to, and I don't think Patricia
could. If they don't study, how can they remain?"

Nancy laughed outright.

"Don't worry about those two funny girls," she said, "for if they
_won't_ study, or _can't_ study, and so are not allowed to remain,
you'll be just as happy, Dorothy dear, and for that matter, so will
they."

Later, when together they descended the quaint stairway, they found the
ever-present Miss Fenler, waiting to present them.

Vera Vane, and Elfreda Carleton, each with an arm about the other's
waist, hastened forward to greet them.

"Oh, we're so glad you and Nancy have--"

"Just a moment Miss Vane, until you have been properly presented," Miss
Fenler said, in a cold, precise manner.

"But I've always known Dorothy--"

"That makes no difference," the assistant said, and she presented them
in formal manner.

Vera raised her eyebrows, presented the tips of her fingers, and told
Dorothy in a high, squeaky voice that she was _very_ glad to know her.
Elf did the same in an exact copy of Vera's manner.

Several of the pupils giggled, but to their credit, Dorothy and Nancy
managed not to laugh.

When a half-dozen girls had been presented, some one told Miss Fenler
that Mrs. Marvin wished to see her, and what had begun in a stilted
manner, became a genuine girl's social.

When the clock in the hall chimed six, and they turned toward the long
dining-room, the two new pupils had already made the acquaintance of
several girls, who sat beside, and opposite them at the table.

From a distant table Patricia and Arabella were turning to attract their
attention.

It had happened that Arabella had chosen to remain in her room during
the half-hour reunion.

"I don't feel like talking to a crowd of girls to-night," she had said.

"My! If you don't care to talk to girls, it must be you'd rather talk to
boys!" Patricia said, laughing.

"I would _not_!" Arabella remarked, with a flash in her eyes that one
rarely saw.

"Oh, _do_ excuse me!" Patricia said, "but that's all right, for I'll
stay right here and talk to you."

Arabella was not in much of a mood for listening, either, but she
thought it best not to say so. At any other time, Arabella would have
listened for h