Page:Ruth Fielding at Lighthouse Point.djvu/15

Rh general conversation and great merriment. It was the evening of the last day but one of the school year, and discipline at Briarwood Hall was relaxed to a degree. However, the fraternity of the Sweetbriars had grown in favor with Mrs. Grace Tellingham, the preceptress of the school, and with the teachers, since its inception. Now the fifty or more girls belonging to the society (fully a quarter of the school membership) paired off to march down to the dining hall, where a special collation was spread.

Helen Cameron went down arm-in-arm with the president of the S. B.'s.

"Oh, Ruthie!" the new member exclaimed, "I think it's ever so nice—much better than the initiation of the old Upedes. I can talk about them now," and she laughed, "because they are—as Tommy says—'busted all to flinders.' Haven't held a meeting for more than a month, and the last time—whisper! this is a secret, and I guess the last remaining secret of the Upedes—there were only The Fox and I there!"

"I'm glad you're one of us at last, Helen," said Ruth Fielding, squeezing her chum as they went down the stairs.

"And I ought to have been an original member along with you, Ruth," said Helen, thoughtfully. "The Up and Doing Club hadn't half the attractiveness that your society has"