That was all that Abby heard directly, but she knew that her father and Ray had vainly tried to get Margaret's promise to spend the Easter recess with them. No allusion was made to the matter when the girls were back at school once more. Abby heard Constance's friends talking of the gay time they had had, and she more than half envied them. Dolly seemed brimming over with fun and spirits. She had had a thoroughly enjoyable time at home and afterward in New York. Dick Martin had run down for several days, and Fred had called on New Year's. Constance was an ideal hostess. Mary had spent the time at Dolly's home, and had joined Dolly on her return to college. Mrs. Alden had vainly tried to accomplish some good by ridiculing Mary's feeling toward Constance Van Gerder. She owned to Dolly that she had effected nothing. "I think that one or two caustic remarks Fred made did more good than all my lengthy talks." But, to all appearances, Fred had not accomplished much, either, for Mary refused to go walking with the girls when Constance was to be of the party, and she would not visit in their rooms save at times when she knew that Constance had a recitation. She was not going to be patronized, she declared, and Dolly vowed in disgust that she would never mention the subject again. Nothing of any special interest happened through the next two terms. The four girls were growing to be extremely popular. Beth made a capital president, and the little quartette composed of herself, Dolly, Margaret and Constance were coming to be generally known as the "diggers." There were students more bright than they, perhaps, in some particular branches, but there were no harder workers, and none who were more reliable. Beth, to her extreme disappointment, had not been allowed to go home at Easter time, for Nell was suffering from an attack of scarlet fever. She had implored her mother to let her go anyway, but Mrs. Newby had written a most decided and positive negative. "I am anxious and troubled about one daughter now, dear, I cannot stand the thought that another one is exposed to danger, too. We are strictly quarantined, and if you came, you could not return to college for several weeks. We have a good trained nurse, and Nell's case is not severe. Be patient, Beth, and do not ask to come. It is such a relief to know that you are safe." Beth had resolved to stay at the college during the short Easter recess--she was not good company for anyone, she declared--but Dolly carried her off despite her protests. Mary stayed with her aunt, and Constance took both Margaret and her mother home this time. Mr. Dunbar had come, himself, to see Margaret, but she would make no promises. Raymond had told his father something of Abby's treatment of her room-mate, after she had become aware of Margaret's lack of social position.