y Edith Avery is back?"

Theodora, meanwhile, had settled her guests comfortably to listen to the
concert. They were all there, Dr. McAlister and his wife, Hope and
Hubert, Phebe and Allyn, and the Farringtons. Among so many girls, Hope,
in her pretty pink gown, was quite capable of holding her own; and Billy
and Hubert were in such demand that, all that day, Theodora had scarcely
had a chance to exchange a word with them. It was just as well, however,
for the girl's hands were full, with the active part which her offices
had imposed upon her.

During the whole week, she had borne her part admirably. When she came
out on the stage for the first time, on Saturday night, she had
faltered. For a moment, the sea of upturned faces had terrified her, and
she could distinguish nothing but a formless blur. Then, all at once,
Billy's red-gold hair and clear blue eyes had detached themselves and
caught her attention, and she flashed upon him one glance, half proud,
half appealing. He smiled back at her broadly and waved his programme.
An instant later, she was speaking her opening lines.

She had led the baccalaureate procession; she had presided at the ivy
exercises, that morning; and to-night, at the reception which followed
the glee club concert, she was expected to show herself in her official
capacity. The next day, she would lead her class in the commencement
procession, and preside at the class supper. No wonder that she was
tired, and that dark circles were beginning to come beneath her eyes.
Popularity has its price, though it is a price well worth the paying. It
had come to her unsought, unexpected, and she enjoyed it. Still, she was
undeniably tired. She was glad for the moment to settle down on the
bench, unnoticed in the crowd, with her father's arm across her shoulder
and Hubert by her other side.

"Tired out, Ted?" her father asked tenderly, as she nestled against him,
regardless of her finery.

"Oh, no; only glad of a chance to see my people. I have been in such a
whirl, all the week, that I feel as if I had neglected you."

"We haven't suffered, and you'll rest from the whirl. You can't be
graduated but once, my girl, and I want you to have the best of it," he
said proudly. "Next year, you will be with us again, so don't worry
about us now."

"You'd better sit up straight, Teddy," Phebe said, bending forward and
speaking in an aggressively audible whisper. "You're leaning against
your dress, and that thin