They had reached the class-room door so that there was no time for
either Dorothy or Nancy to reply to the silly remark if they had cared
to do so.

* * * * *

At eight o'clock nearly all the pupils had assembled in the big
reception-room, and the hum of voices told that each was doing her best
to outdo her neighbor. Near the center of the room a group of girls
stood talking. It was evident that the theme of their conversation was
not engrossing, for twice their leader, Betty Chase, had replied at
random while her eyes roved toward the door, and Valerie Dare remarked
that her chum had been reading such a romantic story, that she was
eagerly looking for a knight in full armor to appear.

"Be still!" cried Betty. "You know very well what I'm looking for."

"I do indeed," Valerie admitted. "Say, girls! You all know the two that
are always together, the one with goggles that we've dubbed the
'medicine chest,' and her chum who wears all the rainbow colors whenever
and wherever she appears?"

"Surely, but what are their names?" inquired a pale, sickly-looking girl
who had joined the group.

"Don't know their names," said Betty, "but I heard Miss Rainbow telling
her friend that she intended to wear 'something very dressy' to-night,
so I'm eager to see her. My! Here she comes now."

"Good gracious!" gasped Valerie, under her breath.