"I never will," whispered Tavia.

The ranks were formed now, and the girls marched out. An unpardonable
expression covered the face of Sarah Ford as she passed the tearful
ones.

"There," hissed Tavia, sticking out her tongue at the unpopular leader.
"Sneak!" she hissed again, and made the most unmistakable face of
contempt and defiance at the haughty Sarah.

Many looked sadly at Dorothy and with pity at Tavia. Certainly these two
girls deserved to march. Dorothy had done so much to help, in fact some
of the girls knew she had helped the major with all the letter writing,
inviting the Rochester men, and sending instructions to the firemen. And
to think that now, at the last moment, she should be debarred!

And Tavia too, had been so happy at the prospect of the parade. Poor
Tavia! Everybody knew she had a hard time of it, anyway, only for
Dorothy, who always helped her out.

"Now, young ladies," said Miss Ellis, as the last girl passed out, "you
may fall in at the end."

"I don't care to," Dorothy spoke up, wiping her eyes.

"But I say you must!"

"Do," whispered Tavia, "we can see them anyway."