"It is simply too lovely to go home to-day," exclaimed Grace Harlowe to
her three chums as they strolled down High School Street one sunny
afternoon in early October. "I move that we drop our books at my house
and go for a walk."

"I'm willing to drop my books anywhere and never see them again,"
grumbled Nora O'Malley, who was not fond of study.

"I ought to go straight home," demurred Anne Pierson, "but I'll put
pleasure before duty and stay with the crowd."

"What about you, Jessica?" asked Grace.

"You couldn't drive me home," replied Jessica promptly.

"Very well," laughed Grace, "as we are all of the same mind, let's shed
these books and be off."

After a brief stop at Grace's home, the four girls started out, keenly
alive to the beauty of the day. The leaves on the trees were beginning
to lose their green and put on their dresses of red and gold. Though the
sun shone brightly, the air was cool and bracing, and filled one with
that vigor and joy of living which makes autumn the most delightful
season of the year.

Once outside the gate, the chums unconsciously headed in the same
direction.