When Martha said this Fanny made a little gesture of despair. "Well," she said, "I have taken a fancy to her. I think she is very nice; and I know she is poor, and I know she wants help, and I know that Mrs. Haddo takes a great interest in her. I allude to that dear little thing, Sibyl Ray. You, Martha, surely will support me?" "Sibyl Ray!" The girls looked at each other in unbounded astonishment. Martha was quite silent, and her cheeks turned pale. After a long pause Margaret spoke, "May I ask, Fanny, what one single qualification Sibyl Ray has for election to membership in the Speciality Club?" "But what possible reason is there against her being a member?" retorted Fanny. "A great many, I should say," was Margaret's answer. "In the first place, she is too young; in the second place, she has only just been admitted to the upper school." "You can't keep her out on that account," objected Fanny, "for she has been longer in the upper school than Betty Vivian." "Oh, please don't mention Betty and Sibyl in the same breath!" was Margaret's answer. "I do not," said Fanny, who was fast losing her temper. "Sibyl is a good, straightforward, honorable girl. Betty is the reverse." "Oh Fanny," exclaimed Martha, "I wouldn't abuse my own cousin if I were you!" "Nonsense!" said Fanny. "Whether she is a cousin, or even a sister, I cannot be blind to her most flagrant faults." "Of course you have a right to propose Sibyl Ray as a possible member of this club," said Margaret, "for it is one of our by-laws that any member can propose the election of another. But I don't really think you will carry the thing through. In the first place, what do you know about Sibyl? I have observed you talking to her once or twice lately; but until the last week or so, I think, you hardly knew of her existence." "That is quite true," said Fanny boldly; "but during the last few days I have discovered that Sibyl is a sweet girl--most charming, most unselfish, most obliging. She is very timid, however, and lacks self-confidence; and I have observed that she is constantly snubbed by girls who are not fit to hold a candle to her and yet look down upon her, just because she is poor. Now, if she were made a member of the club all that would be put a stop to, and she would have a great chance of doing her utmost in the school. We should be holding out a helping hand to a girl who certainly is neither beautiful nor clever, but who can be made a fine character. Martha, you at least will stand up for Sibyl? You have always been her close friend."