"Yes, and you see what I mean. She is not the person for the place. We could not feel proud of her in any way. She barely escaped conditions this year, and I don't suppose she will ever get through the sophomore year with a clean record. The class is so grateful to Elizabeth, that she could be elected almost unanimously. What do you say?" "Never mind what Beth says, I say that it is a 'go.' I'll work for her with all my might and main. I'm sure she will be elected! Of course, you will be made chairman of the executive committee." This was a position which the classes had uniformly given the retiring president. "I do not know. The girls may want someone else elected." And Dolly told herself that Margaret never felt sure of her hold on her classmates. She felt that Margaret would feel more secure if every bit of her history were known; probably, too, she would be happier. They talked over the coming elections at some length, and had just decided upon the list of candidates whom they would favor when Mary entered. The news was told to her, and she endorsed Beth's candidacy very heartily, despite the fact that Beth herself persisted in regarding the whole matter as a huge joke. It was impossible, seemingly, for Beth to realize that she was actually popular with the girls, that her many little deeds of quiet kindness, and her bright ways, had won her a warm corner in every heart. The matter was talked over again after Mary's entrance, and then Mary announced a bit of news herself. "We have an addition to our class. Did you know it? Miss Van Gerder was a freshman two years ago, and was a fine student, I believe; but she was not here last year because her mother's health was poor, and they went to Europe. We shall have one of the largest sophomore classes ever enrolled here. I am glad that she is to be one of us, aren't you?" "Do you know her first name and in what city she lives?" Margaret asked, ignoring Mary's question. "She lives in New York, and her first name is Constance." Something in Margaret Hamilton's tone had caused all three of the girls to look at her intently. There was no disguising the fact that she was startled and dismayed. All of them realized that Miss Van Gerder must have known Margaret in the old days in Chicago, and all three felt sorry for her now. Her position was not enviable. She showed little of what she felt, however, and soon after returned to her own room. Dolly and Beth were passing along the lower corridor to the dining-room that evening, when they heard someone exclaim; "Why, Margaret, how glad I am to see you! I did not know what had become of you after you left Chicago!"