"What's up?" asked Mollie, gliding into the room, her dark hair straying rather rebelliously from beneath her hat. "Come in," invited Betty, and soon the four were sitting together, while in a sort of dialogue Betty and Amy told the pathetic little story. "And that's how it stands," finished Betty. "I wanted to do something--or say something--to make Alice Jallow feel--" "She should be punished--we should all cut her--she ought to be put out of school!" burst out the impulsive Mollie. "I shall go to Miss Greene--" "You'll do nothing of the sort, Billy!" exclaimed Betty, as she detained the girl, who had already started from the room. "Amy doesn't wish it. Besides, I think Alice will be sorry enough later for what she has done." "I had rather you wouldn't go to her," spoke Amy, quietly. "Oh, well, of course--" began Mollie. "I do wish I had better control of myself," she added, rather sadly. "I start to do such rash things--" "Indeed you do, my dear," spoke Grace. "But we know you don't mean it. Here--help yourself," and she extended the candy bag. "I couldn't--I don't feel like it. I--I feel all choked up in here!" exclaimed Mollie, placing her hand on her firm, white throat. "I--I want to do something to--to that--cat!" Her eyes filled with tears. "That's what I called her!" said Betty. "But we mustn't let her know that she has annoyed us. Sometimes I feel real sorry for Alice. She seems rather lonesome." "I suppose the story will be all over school soon," went on Grace. "I shan't mind," spoke Amy, softly. "Well, I'm glad you don't, my dear," remarked Betty. "It's more romantic than anything else--after you get over the sad part of it." "And I am trying to do that," said Amy, bravely. Together the four girls came out of the school. Most of the other pupils had gone home, for vacation days were near, and study hours were shortened on account of examinations. "There she is now," said Mollie, as they turned a corner. "Who?" questioned Betty. "That Jallow girl and her familiar--Kittie. Her name is too good for her." "Don't notice her," suggested Betty, "and don't, for goodness sake, speak to them. We don't want a scene. Perhaps Alice only did it impulsively--and did not really mean it." If the reputed author of the anonymous letter, and her close friend, hoped for any demonstration on the part of those they had hoped to wound, they were disappointed. In calm unconsciousness of the twain, the quartette passed on, talking gaily--though it was a bit forced--of their coming trip. And I must do Alice the justice to say that later she was truly sorry for what she had done. "There's Will!" exclaimed Grace, as she caught sight of her brother. "And Frank Haley is with him. Here, girls, take what's left of these chocolates, or Will won't leave one." "Does he know you have them?" asked Amy, accepting a few. "Yes, he saw me buying them. Oh, bother! There comes that Percy Falconer, and he has a new suit. Vanity of vanities!"