to allow any outsider to witness our practice, we have always made an
exception in favor of Jessica. You all have perfect confidence in Jessica,
I am sure. Since practice began this fall we have allowed Anne to come to
it, too. You remember I asked permission for her to see the practice game,
because I knew her to be absolutely trustworthy."

Here Nora nodded emphatically, Miriam tossed her head and smiled
mockingly, while the rest of the girls looked a trifle mystified.

"Anne," continued Grace, "did not understand many of our plays, so I
wrote out a list of signals for her, to study and learn by heart, telling
her to destroy them as soon as she was sure she knew them. Unfortunately,
she lost them, and at once told me about it. She felt very unhappy over
it; but I told her not to worry, because I never supposed their loss would
make any difference.

"When the game was well under way and the juniors began to block our
plays, it flashed across me that in some way they had found that list.
Anne, who has a mania for labeling everything, had written 'Sophomore
basketball signals' across the paper; so, of course, any one who found it
would know exactly what the list meant.

"We were warned that the juniors held a meeting at the Omnibus House a day
or so before the game, and that they meant mischief. I never thought,
however, they would be quite so dishonorable.

"I would have told you this before the game, but was afraid it would
confuse and worry you. I am sure that you will agree with me, and absolve
Anne from all blame."