If a bomb shell had burst in the room, there couldn't have been more surprise. Molly could have laughed aloud at the rebellious and fractious young woman from Philadelphia, who sat embarrassed and tongue-tied, unable to say a word. Again there was a long pause. The Brinton forces appeared incapable of expressing themselves. "I second the nomination of Miss Brinton," called Judy, with a bland, innocent look in her gray eyes. Then Katherine Williams arose and delivered a deliciously humorous and delightful little speech that caused laughter to ripple all over the room. She ended by nominating Margaret Wakefield for re-election and before they knew it everybody in the room was applauding. Nominations for other officers were made after this and a girl from Montana was heard to remark: "I'm for Queen's. They're a long sight brighter than any of us." When the candidates stood lined up on the platform just before the votes were cast, Caroline Brinton looked shriveled and dried up beside the ample proportions of Margaret Wakefield, who beamed handsomely on her classmates and smiled so charmingly that in comparison there appeared to be no two ways about it. "She's the right one for president," Judy heard a girl say. "She looks like a queen bee beside little Carrie Brinton. And nobody could say she ran the election this time, either. Carrie has had the chance she wanted." Molly was one of the nominees for secretary and, standing beside a nominee from the opposing side, she also shone in comparison. When the votes were counted, it was found that Margaret and Molly had each won by a large majority, and Caroline Brinton was ignominiously defeated. That night Jessie Lynch, who had not in the least minded being superseded as secretary by Molly, gave a supper party in honor of her chum's re-election. Only Queen's girls were there, except Mabel Hinton, and there was a good deal of fun at the expense of Caroline Brinton of Philadelphia. "Poor thing," said Molly, "I couldn't help feeling sorry for her." "But why?" demanded Katherine. "She had the chance she wanted. She was nominated, but she was such a poor leader that her own forces wouldn't stand by her at the crucial moment. Oh, but it was rich! What a lesson! And how charming Margaret was! How courteous and polite through it all. What a beautiful way to treat an enemy!" "What a beautiful way to treat wrath, you mean," said her sister; "with 'a soft answer.'" "It was as good as a play," laughed Judy. "I never enjoyed myself more in all my life." But, somehow, Molly felt a little uncomfortable always when she recalled that election, although it was an honest, straightforward election, won by the force of oratory and personality, and so skillfully that the opposing side never knew it had been duped by a prearranged plan of four extremely clever young women. CHAPTER IV. A TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT.