"Miss Howard isn't pleased over their staying away so long," confided Dorothy. "She told me yesterday that every student had reported except those two. She asked me if I knew why they were so late. She hadn't received a word of excuse from either of them. Too bad, isn't it, that they should so deliberately set their faces against right?" "They walk with the eyes open, yet are blind," mused Adrienne. "I have known many such persons. Seldom is there the remedy. I cannot imagine the reform of Marian Seaton. It would be the miracle." "You may laugh if you like, but I've wondered whether there mightn't be some way to find the good in her. Dad says there's some good in even the worst person, if one can only find it." Silent from the moment Adrienne had mentioned Marian's name, Jane broke into the conversation. "After I read that miserable letter, I felt as though I hated Marian Seaton harder than ever," she went on. "When I saw her to-day I despised her for being what she was. All of a sudden it came to me that I was sorry for her instead. It's a kind of queer mix-up of feelings." Jane gave a short laugh. "You have the right spirit, Jane. I'm proud of you for it. You make me feel ashamed. While I've been merely saying that it's too bad about Marian, you've gone to the root of the matter," assured Dorothy earnestly. "Yet what could one do thus to bring about the reform?" Adrienne's shrug was eloquent of the dubiety of such an enterprise. "Begin as Jane has, by being sorry for her," replied Dorothy thoughtfully. "I am French," returned Adrienne simply. "The Latin never forgets nor forgives." Having now reached the fruit stand where Jane had stopped to purchase a large red apple for her horse, the subject of Marian Seaton was dropped. Arrived at the stable the three girls spent a merry session with Firefly, who demanded much petting from them. "He's the dearest little horse I ever saw, Jane!" glowed Dorothy when they finally left him finishing the apple which Jane had saved as a good-bye solace. "If ever I owned a horse like Firefly I'd be the happiest girl in the whole world." "There aren't many like him." Jane turned for a last look over her shoulder at her beautiful pet. Pursing her lips she whistled to him. Instantly he neighed an answer. "Is he not cunning?" cried Adrienne. Dorothy admiringly agreed that he was. Jane smiled in an absent manner. An idea had taken shape in her mind, the pleasure of which brought a warm flush to her cheeks. In consequence she suddenly quickened her pace. "What's the matter, Jane? Training for a walking match?" asked Dorothy humorously. "I beg your pardon," apologized Jane, slowing down. "I just happened to think of a letter I wanted to write and send by the first mail." "Run on ahead, then," proposed Dorothy. "We'll excuse you this once." "Oh, it's not so urgent as all that. I just let my thoughts run away with me for a minute."