The schoolwork was in full swing by this time, and almost every
girl seemed to be doing well. "Dr. Beulah," as her pupils lovingly
called the head of the school (though not, of course, to her face),
went about with a smile most of the time; and even Mrs. Cupp was
less grim than usual.

There was an early January thaw that spoiled all outdoor sport for
the Lakeview Hall girls. Skating, bobsledding, skiing, and even
walking, was taboo for a while, for there was more mud in sight
than snow. The girls had to look for entertainment on Saturday in
other directions.

Therefore it was considered a real godsend by the girls of Corridor
Four when Lillie Nevins told them of the new shop at Adminster.
Adminster was about ten miles from Freeling, the little town under
the cliff, where the Lakeview Hall girls usually shopped.

"It must be a delightfully funny store," said the flaxen-haired
Lillie. "It's full of those Indian blankets, and bead-trimmed
things, and Mexican drawn-work, and pottery. Oh! ancient pots and
pitchers--"

"Made last year in New Jersey?" scoffed Laura Polk.

"No, no! These are real Mexican. Doctor Larry's girls told me about
it. They have been over there and bought the loveliest things!"

There was a good deal of talk about this. It was at the supper
table. Nan and Bess were just as much interested as the other