There was other proof that William liked her. At grammar school it was the proper thing to own an autograph album. William's page in the album of Emily Louise was a triumph in purple ink upon a pinkish background. Not that William had written it. Jimmy Reed had written it for him. Jimmy wielded a master pen in flourish and shading, upon which he put a price accordingly. A mere name cost the patrons of Jimmy a pickle, while a pledge to eternal friendship or sincerity was valued at a doughnut. For the feelings in verse, one paid a pie. [Illustration: "For one's feelings in verse one paid a pie."] William had paid a pie, and his sentiments at maximum price thus set forth declared: "True friendship is a golden knot Which angles' hands have tied, By heavenly skill its textures wrought Who shall its folds divide?" Emily Louise wondered about the "angles hands." What were they? It never suggested itself that a master of the pen such as Jimmy might be weak in spelling. One has to meet new responsibilities at grammar school, too; one has to be careful with whom she associates. Associate was Isobel's word; she used many impressive words, but then Isobel was different; she spelled her name with an o, and she did not live in a home; Isobel lived in a hotel, and her papa was the holder of a government position. Hattie's papa, someone told Emily Louise, had wanted to hold it, but Isobel's papa got it. Isobel said a person must discriminate. This Emily Louise found meant, move in groups that talked each about the others. Isobel and Rosalie pointed out to Emily Louise that the nice girls were in their group. Yet Hattie was not in it; Emily Louise wondered why. "It depends on who you are," said Isobel, with the sweeping calmness of one whose position is assured. "My papa is own second cousin to the Attorney-General of the United States." And that this claim conveyed small meaning to the group about Isobel, made her family connections by no means the less impressive and to be envied. The Isobels supply their part of the curriculum of grammar school. Emily Louise went home anxious. "Have I a family?" she inquired. "It's hard to say, since you abandoned it," said Uncle Charlie. Emily Louise blushed; she did not feel just happy in her mind yet about those dolls buried in a mausoleum-like trunk in the attic. She explained: the kind of family that has a tree? Did she belong to a family? Had she a tree? "The only copper beech in town," said Uncle Charlie. But Aunt Cordelia's vulnerable spot was touched; she grew quite heated. Emily Louise learned that she was a Pringle and a Pope. "And a MacLauren?" queried Emily Louise. But Aunt Cordelia's enthusiasm had cooled.