under the
circumstances, and Miss Baylis had the grace to blush at the look of
scorn which darted from Beverly's eyes straight into her own and the curl
which Aileen's lips held. But even a worm may turn, and for once Miss
Baylis was taken off her feet by having Electra reply: "I guess it's more
honest to be."

"Good!" came from someone, but Miss Baylis thought it wiser to ignore it.

"You may stand and read that sentence five times. Perhaps it may
percolate after so doing."

Electra, still smarting under the sting of Miss Baylis' sarcasm rose
hastily, and with her as hastily rose Petty's foot to a horizontal
position, encountering in its ascent the rung of Electra's chair and
toppling it over with a crash.

CHAPTER XIII

CULINARY EXPERIMENTS

Most of the girls gave vent to startled exclamations, but Miss Baylis was
speechless with rage. Electra turned and twisted in her frantic endeavors
to discover the origin of the upheaval, and Petty made a mad scramble for
her history book which the sudden jerk had sent flying out of her hands,
the sentimental missive fluttering from its hiding place to drop at
Beverly's feet. Stooping hastily, Beverly caught it up unnoticed in the
greater confusion, though she could not help seeing "Darling little
sweetheart," in a large immature hand at the heading. With a scarcely
repressed laugh she hid it in her book, and turned to face the storm
center, Miss Baylis.

"Who is responsible for this folly?" demanded the irate one.

There was no reply.

"I wish an answer," reiterated Miss Baylis, turning to Beverly who sat
near Petty. "Is this your idea of a joke?"

"Not exactly, Miss Baylis."

"Are you guilty of this act?"

"No, Miss Baylis."

"Do you know who is?"

"I could not tell if I did, Miss Baylis."

"I shall force you to tell," was the unguarded retort.

"It is rather hard to force an Ashby or a Seldon to do something they
consider dishonorable, Miss Baylis," was the quiet reply.

"You are insolent."

"I did not intend to be."

Of this Miss Baylis was quite well aware. She had begun to understand
something of Beverly's character and to learn something of the importance
of this Woodbine family and their standing in the community. Consequently
she turned her attention to Sally and asked:

"Is your sense of honor equally nice? Which of your classmates played
this senseless trick?"

Sally remained s