“You get up there where you belong,” cried one of them, shoving Billie up into the center of the bed which was already over-crowded with giggling girls. “Don’t you know that you’re a real, honest-to-goodness heroine?” “And for the second time to-day,” drawled Rose Belser, her eyes fixed a little enviously upon Billie’s pretty, flushed face. “Wasn’t it enough to win the prize, without going and getting yourself in the limelight _again_?” Laura and Vi flushed angrily, for there was a little malice under the question. But Billie took it all good-naturedly. “Well, I didn’t do it on purpose—not the last part, anyway,” she said. “We know you didn’t, honey,” said Connie, ruffling Billie’s dark curls fondly. “You’re just naturally talented.” “By the way,” asked Laura, after an interval of skylarking, “does anybody know what happened to Amanda?” “She was suspended,” replied one of the girls. “And I thought it was a pity she wasn’t expelled,” spoke up another. “Poor Eliza!” drawled Rose. “I wonder what she will do without her master.” “Does anybody know who won the second prize?” asked Laura carelessly. “What a queer question to ask,” said Caroline Brant, who had been dreaming about the thesis she was going to write and had hardly heard a word of the conversation. “_You_ did, of course!” It took a little time for this to sink in, for Laura had long ago given up hope of winning a prize for herself. But when it did finally beat its way into her mind she straightway proceeded to turn the place upside down in her hilarity. She found Billie’s sewing basket, dumped out its contents, and turned it upside down on her head for a crown. Then she draped a bedspread about her shoulders, queen fashion, and two of her classmates caught up the dangling ends that formed a train. Then they marched through the halls crying, “Way for the queen!” and gathering a crowd of giggling girls as they went. “What’s it all about?” “Queen indeed! Just look at her with that workbasket on her head!” “They are having the sport because Laura took the second prize in that composition contest.” “Oh, that’s it, is it? Well, I’m glad they showed up Amanda—and Billie Bradley certainly deserved the first prize.” The merriment grew louder, and presently the crowd made Laura mount a stand and deliver what they called “an oration.” “Tell us about making linen dusters for the Laplanders,” suggested one girl. “Or overcoats for the heathens in Africa,” suggested another. “Or how to make sponge cake from live sponges.” “Or why Washington didn’t use submarines when his army crossed the Delaware.” “I can talk but I can’t make a speech,” declared Laura. “In other words, I could say something if I could only frame my speech, properly—that is——” “If she could only get her tongue to working,” broke in Vi, and at this the assembled girls roared. It was only when rumor said that Miss Walters was coming their way that the hilarious party broke up and scurried for home and safety.