knows from babyhood all the unpleasant features of the profession and how to avoid them.  There is some chance of her becoming great, too.  Of course real stars do appear once in a while, who are too talented to be kept down.  However, the really great ones are few and far between.  When I compare my life before I came here with the good times I have had since I met you girls, I hate the very idea of the stage.

“Only,” she concluded with a shame-faced air, “there are times when the desire to act is irresistible, and it did make my heart beat a little bit faster when I heard about the play.”

“You dear little mouse,” said Grace, putting her arm around Anne.  “I was only jesting when I spoke about your love for the stage.  I think I understand how you feel, and I hope you get the best part in the play.  I know you’ll make good.”

“She certainly will,” said Nora.  “But, to give the play a rest and come down to everyday affairs, where shall we meet to go to the football game?”

“Let me see,” said Grace.  “The game is to be called at three o’clock.  I suppose we shall all be through dinner by half past two.  You had better bring your girls to my house.  Each of you is to have two and Jessica has one besides Mabel.  I am to have three; I found another yesterday.  David promised to get me the tickets.  I wonder how he and Hippy will enjoy chaperoning thirteen girls?”

“I won’t have the slightest chance to talk to Hippy,” grumbled Nora, “and he has neglected us shamefully of late, too.”

“Never mind, you can have him all to yourself at my party,” consoled Grace.  “By the way, girls, do you think it would be of any use to invite Eleanor?”

“Eleanor?” exclaimed Nora.  “After what she has said to you!  You might as well throw your invitation into the fire, for it’s safe to say that she will do so when she receives it.”

Nevertheless, Grace wrote a cordial little note to Eleanor that evening, and two days later she received Eleanor’s reply through the mail.  On opening the envelope the pieces of her own note fell out, with a half sheet of paper containing the words, “Declined with thanks.”

CHAPTER XII

A RECKLESS CHAUFFEUR

Thanksgiving Day dawned bright and clear, with just enough frost in the air to make one’s blood tingle.  It had been a mild fall, with a late Indian summer, and only one or two snow flurries that had lasted but a few hours.  This was unusual for Oakdale, as winter generally came with a rush before the middle of November, and treated the inhabitants of that northern city to a taste of zero weather long before the Christmas holidays.