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112 about every one? We don't want the whole school—just you and Bobby and Louise and Frances and Libbie and the Guerin girls."

"Sure, the same bunch that came up on the train," said Tommy Tucker. "Lead me to Mrs. Eustice and I'll ask her."

"Mrs. Eustice is not in this afternoon," announced an extremely cold and disapproving voice. "Have you permission, young ladies, to see these er—callers?"

It was the elderly teacher whom Tommy had tormented on the train!

For once in his life that young man was thoroughly abashed. He threw Betty an appealing look that asked her to save him.

"Miss Prettyman, may I present my friends?" said the girl with the formality that is subtly flattering to an older woman. "This is Bob Henderson, who came from the West with me and who is really like my brother, since my uncle is his guardian. And this is Tommy Tucker, who lives in Washington."

"How do you do, Robert and Thomas?" said Miss Prettyman austerely. "Did Mrs. Eustice know you had callers?" she persisted, turning to the girls. "She took the last bus to Edentown."

"Yes, she knew. It is all right. Caroline said so," babbled Betty, in frantic terror lest the boys