inda with a discontented and aggrieved face.

"In the name of all that's holy, what are you doing or planning to do?"
she demanded.

"Not anything that will cost you a penny beyond my natural rights," said
Linda quietly.

"That is not answering my question," said Eileen. "You're not of age and
you're still under the authority of a guardian. If you can't answer me,
possibly you can him. Shall I send John Gilman to ask what I want to
know of you?"

"When did I ever ask you any questions about what you chose to do?"
asked Linda. "I am merely following the example that you have previously
set me. John Gilman and I used to be great friends. It might help both
of us to have a family reunion. Send him by all means."

"You used to take pride," suggested Eileen, "in leading your class."

"And has anyone told you that I am not leading my class at the present
minute?" asked Linda.

"No," said Eileen, "but what I want to point out to you is that the
minute you start running with the boys you will quit leading your
class."

"Don't you believe it," said Linda quietly. "I'm not built that way.
I shan't concentrate on any boy to the exclusion of chemistry and
geometry, never fear it."

Then she thoughtfully ascended the stairs and went to work.

Eileen went to her room and sat down to think; and the more she thought,
the deeper grew her anger and chagrin; and to the indifference that
always had existed in her heart concerning Linda was added in that
moment a new element. She was jealous of her. How did it come that a
lanky, gangling kid in her tees had been paid a visit by the son of
possibly the most cultured and influential family of the city, people of
prestige, comfortable wealth, and unlimited popularity? For four years
she had struggled to gain an entrance in some way into Louise Whiting's
intimate circle of friends, and she had ended by shutting the door on
the only son of the family. And why had she ever allowed Linda to keep
the runabout? It was not proper that a young girl should own a high
powered car like that. It was not proper that she should drive it and go
racing around the country, heaven knew where, and with heaven knew whom.
Eileen bit her lip until it almost bled. Her eyes were hateful and her
hands were nervous as she reviewed the past week. She might think any
mean thing that a mean brain could conjure up, but when she calmed down
to facts she had to admit that there was not a reason in the world why