"It's a big dance. Weston High School, that's the boys' school, gives a party to Sanford High on every Hallowe'en night. It's a town institution and as unchangeable as any law the Medes and Persians ever thought of making," informed Jerry. "Oh, how splendid!" exclaimed Marjorie. "I should like to know some nice Sanford boys, and I love to dance!" "Then you ought to meet my brother Hal," declared Jerry, solemnly, "for he's the nicest, handsomest, best boy I know." "Wait until you see the Crane," laughed Irma Linton. "He's the tallest boy in high school. He's six feet two inches now. They say he hasn't stopped growing, either, and he is awfully thin. That's why the boys call him the 'Crane.' He doesn't mind it a bit. His real name is Sherman Norwood, but no one ever calls him that except the teachers." During the rest of the walk home the coming dance was the sole subject under discussion. Yes, the girls wore evening gowns, if they had them. Lots of girls wore their best summer dresses. The leading caterer of Sanford always had charge of the refreshments and the boys paid the bills. There was a real orchestra, too. Of course all the teachers were there, but the pokey ones went home early and the jolly ones, like Miss Flint and Miss Atkins, stayed until the last dance. There were countless other questions to ask, but the luncheon hour was too short to admit of any lingering on the corner. "I wish we had more time to talk," sighed Marjorie, reluctantly, as she came to her street. "I'd love to hear more about the dance." "We'll tell you all there is to tell after school," promised Jerry. "Oh, no, we can't either. You'll have to go to that old basketball practice. What a nuisance it is. And to think you have to play on the team with Mignon, Muriel and Susan, after the way they've treated you. Why don't you resign?" "I don't believe I'll play next term," said Marjorie, slowly, "but I feel as though I ought to stay on the team for the rest of this term. Our game with the sophomores is set for two weeks from to-morrow; then, I believe we are to play against two teams from nearby towns. It wouldn't be fair to leave the team now, after having practiced with it." "I don't believe I'd bother my head much about that part of it," sniffed Jerry, "I'd just quit." "No, you wouldn't, Geraldine Macy," laughed Irma. "You might grumble, but you wouldn't be so hateful." "You don't know how hateful I can be," warned Jerry. "Some other girls are likely to find out, though." "Good-bye. I must not stop here another second," declared Marjorie. "Good-bye!" floated after her as she walked rapidly toward home. "How goes it, Lieutenant?" asked her father, who, with her mother, was already seated at the table as she entered the dining-room. "Pretty well, thank you, General," she replied, touching her hand to her curly head.