at Vera Vane was a host in herself, her friend and chum,
Elfreda was nearly her equal in active wit, and high spirits, and at
least a few of the other pupils would have already formed a speaking
acquaintance with the two new girls.

The girls would have been assigned places in the classes for which they
were fitted, and thus the school work would be planned, and their time
closely occupied.

Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte were also eager to know if the two who
were so dear to them were comfortable, satisfied with their
surroundings, and looking forward to a pleasant school year. Until thus
assured, they could not set out on the journey, for the trip had been
planned as a means of rest and recuperation for Mrs. Dainty. How could
she rest, or enjoy the trip unless she were sure that Dorothy was
absolutely content and happy? If Dorothy were happy, Nancy was sure to
be, because the two were inseparable, and their tastes nearly identical.

The two girls were a bit tired of looking from the window at the flying
scenery, and Nancy expressed the wish that they had brought something
with them to read.

"I did," Dorothy said, with a laugh, and she drew Vera's letter from her
blouse.

She read it aloud, while Nancy leaned against her shoulder, enjoying it
with her.

"I wish you had come the first day that school opened, but I'll be on
the lookout for you and Nancy. My! But we'll have fun and a plenty of it
this year at Glenmore," she concluded, signed her name, and then added a
postscript.

"Patricia, and Arabella are here, both--no,
_each_--oh, which _should_ I say? Anyway, they're
acting just outrageous, and already they've earned
the name that the girls have given them. They call
them 'The Freaks,' and truly the name fits. They
speak of Patricia as 'the one with the queer
clothes,' and of Arabella as 'the medicine-chest.'

"She's taking more pills, I do believe, than she
ever did at home, and she wants folks to notice
that.

"The idea! I'm glad there are two _nice_ girls
coming from Merrivale, although you'd never think
Patricia ever _saw_ the place, for she talks of
nothing but 'N'York.' My brother Bob always laughs
about my long postscripts. It's lucky he can't see
this one!

"Lovingly,

"VERA."

Dorothy folded the letter, again placing it in her blouse, and then for
a time they w