“But you have a vote just the same, and I wanted to tell you that the silly ‘Fudge Club’ want to get Florence Day elected captain. We all know that Hilary ought to be elected Captain.” “O, Pauline would be better, girls!” cried Hilary promptly and sincerely. “Thanks, Hilary,” said Pauline. “I do think I understand the game, but I am not as good a leader. Hilary has the head for emergencies.” “Don’t quarrel, children!” Betty pretended to part Pauline and Hilary, who sat close together on the cedar chest. “Polly told me some time ago that Hilary was a big surprise to the girls in basketball and that she ought to be elected Captain. Florence is a good player, but she isn’t equal to Hilary. She goes all to pieces sometimes, and isn’t always fair besides. Everybody can count on Hilary all the time, they say.” “Hear, hear!” applauded the girls. “Is this politics?” inquired Isabel. “No, indeed,” replied Pauline. “I just wanted to warn you about some. If Hilary were my own sister and not the best one I would not vote for her. The point is to win!” “Who elects the Captain?” asked Cathalina again. “The whole crowd of girls out for the team. Then the captain goes to work to train them all and later the coach chooses the best players for the team.” “I see,” said Cathalina looking wise. “Well, what happens at Greycliff after that?” Avalon continued the questioning, and Juliet replied this time. “The class games come on first, in the Academy and in the Collegiate classes, too. We fight hard in our class games and most of our interest is in them, because we hardly ever beat the big girls. If we did we’d have a chance at games with another school. Don’t I wish it would be the Juniors this time!” “Rah, rah, Juniors, Greycliff!”—and Pauline waved a wishbone. Juliet went on: “We usually play against the Highland Seminary girls,—only twenty miles away. Lots of us go over to root for our team, or they come here.” “They call themselves the Highlanders,” added Helen, “and wear Scotch colors. The last time they came here they got hold of an old Scotchman who could play the bagpipe and brought him along. It was something awful to hear and actually fussed our girls. They beat us, too. Wasn’t it awful, Pauline?” Helen shook her head at the sad memory. “I should think so! Miss Randolph did not like the bagpipes any too well, either. The Highlanders had a young chaperone and had the Scotchman join them here. Miss Randolph did not know that, of course, till afterwards, so put up with it.” “They are our deadliest rivals, Cathalina,” explained Eloise. “Do they usually beat?” Cathalina inquired innocently. “I should say not! I’m sure that we are at least two games ahead!” cried Pauline, in some excitement. “Nice old Polly! Polly want a cracker?” said Betty soothingly, offering a piece of cake. “I wish that Miss Randolph would let us go around to more places,” sighed Juliet, stretching forward red slippers and smothering a yawn. “It is such fun.”