“Of course. It doesn’t matter. Come on, Vivian. Priscilla and you and I’ll play; and if Lucile doesn’t want to make a fourth, we’ll get Bess Shepard from Overlook. She said this morning that she’d like to play.” So while the others crossed the campus toward the gymnasium, Imogene and Dorothy started for Hillcrest, and upon arriving went to the “Forget-me-not,” while the sallow-faced youth before mentioned served them hot chocolate, and lingered unnecessarily in Imogene’s neighborhood. On the way home, peace having been restored between them, Imogene divulged her secret plan to Dorothy, or at least the half of it which she cared to divulge,—namely that upon their arrival home while every one was preparing for dinner, a pail of water be suspended over Miss Van Rensaelar’s door, so that upon her return she might be surprised into a more docile manner toward her housemates. Dorothy giggled at the picture of the soaked Katrina, but obstacles presented themselves to her mind. “It will be funny, but I think you’ll get the worst of it instead of Katrina.” “How, I’d like to know?” “Well, you’re sure to be found out, because you can’t fib about it, and there’s so few of us in The Hermitage that all of us will be asked. Then, besides, it’s funny, but I’m not so sure it’s a joke. I think it’s sort of mean.” Dorothy said the last somewhat hesitatingly, noting the expression coming over Imogene’s face. “Don’t be such a wet-blanket, Dot! Besides, I don’t see how you’re so sure I’ll be found out. You certainly won’t tell, and Viv won’t dare to; and you know how St. Helen’s feels about telling tales anyway. Besides, it’s not my plan. You know who suggested it just this afternoon.” And into Imogene’s eyes crept a crafty expression, which told Dorothy more than her words. “Oh, Imogene!” she cried, really indignant. “You know that isn’t true! Virginia didn’t propose it at all! She was just telling a story! You don’t mean you’d do it yourself, and then lay the blame on Virginia!” Imogene saw that she had made a mistake. “Who’s talking about blaming anybody? I guess I’m willing to take the blame for my own actions. Don’t get so excited! I didn’t exactly mean she proposed it. I just meant that I’d never have thought of such a good plan if it hadn’t been for her.” Dorothy was not convinced. She never felt quite sure of Imogene, though she couldn’t seem to help being fascinated by her. “You see,” she said hesitatingly, “if you had meant that Virginia suggested it, I’d think—” “Well, think what?” “I’d think that—? that maybe you laughed on purpose that night down-stairs.” Imogene shrugged her shoulders, and looked, for her, rather uncomfortable. “Isn’t any one allowed to laugh, if anything strikes her funny? You’re suspicious, Dorothy!”