David flushed with pleasure, more at the compliment paid to his sister
than the one meant for him.

"Sis can come up to the mark when she wants to," he said earnestly. "I
hope she repeats the performance." Then he abruptly changed the subject.
That one little speech revealed to his friends the fact that he understood
the situation and longed with all his heart for a change of tactics on the
part of his sister.




CHAPTER XII

THE WAYS OF SCHOOLGIRLS


The clang of the gong announced the end of school for the day, but some of
the sophomores lingered in their locker-room.

They had a very disagreeable communication to make that afternoon, to one
of their class, and now that the time had come were inclined to shrink
from the ordeal.

"I think Miriam should break the news herself," observed Marian Barber,
"as long as she is to succeed Grace."

"Miriam isn't here," said Eva Allen, "she went home early. She told me she
could not bear to see anyone unhappy. She is so sensitive you know?" Eva
Allen was devoted to Miriam's cause.