It may have been in consequence of this experience of starvation that the orders for fourth of July were that year so unusually large.  It was an old custom in the school that the girls should celebrate the National Independence by buying as many goodies as they liked.  There was no candy-shop in Hillsover, so Mrs. Nipson took the orders, and sent to Boston for the things, which were charged on the bills with other extras.  Under these blissful circumstances, the girls felt that they could afford to be extravagant, and made out their lists regardless of expense.  Rose Red’s, for this Fourth, ran thus:—­

“Two pounds of Chocolate Caramels. 
Two pounds of Sugar almonds. 
Two pounds of Lemon Drops. 
Two pounds of Mixed Candy. 
Two pounds of Maccaroons. 
A dozen Oranges. 
A dozen Lemons. 
A drum of Figs. 
A box of French Plums. 
A loaf of Almond Cake.”

The result of this liberal order was that, after the great wash-basket of parcels had been distributed, and the school had rioted for twenty-four hours upon these unaccustomed luxuries, Rose was found lying on her bed, ghastly and pallid.

“Never speak to me of any thing sweet again so long as I live!” she gasped.  “Talk of vinegar, or pickles, or sour apples, but don’t allude to sugar in any form, if you love me!  Oh, why, why did I send for those fatal things?”

In time all the candy was eaten up, and the school went back to its normal condition.  Three weeks later came College commencement.

“Are you and Clover Craters or Symposiums?” demanded Lilly Page, meeting Katy in the hall, a few days before this important event.

“What do you mean?”

“Why, has nobody told you about them?  They are the two great College Societies.  All the girls belong to one or the other, and make the wreaths to dress their halls.  We work up in the Gymnasium; the Crater girls take the east side, and the Symposium girls the west, and when the wreaths grow too long we hang them out of the windows.  It’s the greatest fun in the world!  Be a Symposium, do!  I’m one!”

“I shall have to think about it before deciding,” said Katy, privately resolving to join Rose Red’s Society, whichever it was.  The Crater it proved to be, so Katy and Clover enrolled themselves with the Craters.  Three days before Commencement wreath-making began.  The afternoons were wholly given up to the work, and, instead of walking or piano practice, the girls sat plaiting oak-leaves into garlands many yards long.  Baskets of fresh leaves were constantly brought in, and there was a strife between the rival Societies as to which should accomplish most.

It was great fun, as Lilly had said, to sit there amid the green boughs, and pleasant leafy smells, a buzz of gay voices in the air, and a general sense of holiday.  The Gymnasium would have furnished many a pretty picture for an artist during those three afternoons, only, unfortunately, no artist was let in to see it.