When a half-dozen girls had been presented, some one told Miss Fenler
that Mrs. Marvin wished to see her, and what had begun in a stilted
manner, became a genuine girl's social.

When the clock in the hall chimed six, and they turned toward the long
dining-room, the two new pupils had already made the acquaintance of
several girls, who sat beside, and opposite them at the table.

From a distant table Patricia and Arabella were turning to attract their
attention.

It had happened that Arabella had chosen to remain in her room during
the half-hour reunion.

"I don't feel like talking to a crowd of girls to-night," she had said.

"My! If you don't care to talk to girls, it must be you'd rather talk to
boys!" Patricia said, laughing.

"I would _not_!" Arabella remarked, with a flash in her eyes that one
rarely saw.

"Oh, _do_ excuse me!" Patricia said, "but that's all right, for I'll
stay right here and talk to you."

Arabella was not in much of a mood for listening, either, but she
thought it best not to say so. At any other time, Arabella would have
listened for hours to whatever Patricia might care to say, but to-night
she was in a contrary mood.