"Not to you perhaps," answered Elma, and a queer look, half-wistful, half-defiant, came into her eyes. "I thought you would be sure to be able to tell me if Kitty were rich," she said again after a pause. "I cannot. You must ask Alice--she lives with Alice. She has plenty of pretty dresses, and all that sort of thing; but I don't know anything about her having money." "I will run into the house this minute and ask Alice," said Elma. "Do, of course, if you are anxious; but I cannot imagine what difference it makes to you." "No, it doesn't, but I am just curious on the subject. I won't keep you long." Elma dashed into the house. She presently came back. "I have found out all about it," she said. "All about what?" asked Bessie. "What I went into the house for. How forgetful you are, Bessie!" "I was wondering if I might steal into the library," said Bessie. "I did not get all the information I wanted about magnetic iron ore, but--Well, what is it, Elma?" "Kitty Malone is rich, very rich, and----" "I can't see that it matters," said Bessie--"I mean to us." "Oh, but it matters a good deal. You don't understand. I shall certainly vote that we ask her to join the Tug-of-War Society." "You will?" cried Bessie--a look of great pleasure came into her eyes. "Then I am really glad, for to join such a society would do Kitty more good than anything else in the world. Only the nicest girls will belong, and she will get at once into the best set. She is as wild as she can be, but she has got plenty of honor; and if she once gave her word that she would do a certain thing no one would do it better." "Let us have her by all means. Let us put it to the vote as soon as we go back to the house," said Elma. "Come Bessie, no slinking away in the direction of that fascinating library. They have nearly copied the rules, and we are to read them over and make comments." "I think it will be a delightful society," said Bessie. "I am sure it will do me good." "It is meant to do us all good," said Elma. "Tug-of-war! I should rather think it will be! How I shall hate that terrible effort to get to the head of my class; not that I am stupid or dislike my lessons." "That would be the nice part as far as I am concerned," said Bessie; "but oh! the fashionable sleeves and the stylish hair. Oh dear! I often feel inclined to have my hair cut short." "Well, Bessie, you would be a fool if you did," said Elma. "Your splendid hair; why, it's nearly down to your knees." "Yes, and that's the bother," said Bessie, "for mother insists on my brushing it out every night for at least ten minutes, and all that time is taken from my books. I tell you, Elma, I would gladly change with you."