“There is only one thing to be done,” said Rose-Mary, when early that same evening she managed to get a word alone with Dorothy, “we must call off the ‘jinks.’ If we don’t they will simply fall upon poor little Miette, and land knows, she looks as if a straw would knock her over now.”

“But that would be acknowledging our fear,” protested Dorothy. “I think we had better go on with it and defy them.”

“But suppose Nita should be chosen by the ‘Pills’ as moderator? No telling how she would treat our candidate.” By “Pills” she meant the Pilgrims, their secret society.

“But you are to be Chief for the Nicks, and you can offset anything they may attempt,” answered Dorothy, meaning by “Nicks” the Knickerbockers, another society.

“Well, if you think so, of course,” agreed Cologne, “I’m willing to go on with it, but it looks risky.”

“I’ll run over and speak to Miette,” went on Dorothy, “we have barely time to get ready. You are awfully good, Cologne, to be so anxious. I am sure it will come out all right. We can only try, at any rate.”

Later, when the two Glenwood clubs, the Knickerbockers, or “Nicks,” representing the faction from New York way, and the Pilgrims, or “Pills” standing for the New England girls, met in the Assembly room to have the annual initiation of new pupils into the clubs, the candidates included Miette de Pleau.

She, like the others to be initiated, were hidden in a corner all under one sheet, and the first “number of the programme” was The Sheet Test. This was not funny, but, according to the committee that had designed the feature, it was “tragic.”

There were four girls under the sheet. Each “head” was marked with a red cross, and the idea was that the sheet should remain absolutely still during the period of five minutes. Now, as the girls under the cover were on their knees, and in a bent posture, that “act” was not so easily carried out. Should a head move, of course, the committee could tell to whom the offending member belonged by the particular cross that stirred.

Miette happened to be the shortest of all four candidates, and so she had some advantage. The other girls were Wanda Volk, a jolly German “machen,” Lily Sayre, a “real aristocrat,” according to Glenwood opinion, and Minna Brown, “the blackest Brown that ever happened,” Tavia declared, for she had coal-black hair and eyes like “hot tar.”

The sheet test had also to be carried on while all sorts of things were said against the candidates, in fun, of course.

To keep from laughing while Cologne discussed an imaginary visit to Wanda Volk, telling of the most luxurious surroundings that schoolgirl tongue could make words for, was not easy.

This was thought to be very simple, for Wanda was known to laugh every time she met the letter “J” just because it stood for joke. But now Wanda did not titter, neither did she giggle; in fact, she seemed to be “praying” under the sheet. Finally Tavia, as Ranger, called out:

“The Chief has raised her finger!”

At this Wanda moved, then trembled, and finally broke into a lively laugh, and had to be led in “disgrace” from her corner. “The idea,” she exclaimed, as she laughed louder and louder, “of thinking I must laugh every time one raises her finger.”

“Well, didn’t you?” asked the Ranger, as she led Wanda off captive.

All sorts of tricks were resorted to with the intention of making the other girls follow Wanda, but they remained firm, and the sheet test as a “curtain raiser” was considered a failure.

The leaders of both clubs who had the candidates in hand, wore masks and long black gowns. These gowns had served many purposes at Glenwood, and were an important part of the girls’ private paraphernalia.

When the candidates were given a first view of the leaders (after being allowed to come from under the sheet), it seemed to Miette she had never beheld anything so strangely funny, and she laughed heartily enough when the penalty for laughing was “raised.” But she was not allowed to speak to the others, and she soon became serious, wondering what was to happen next.

“Number four,” called the Ranger, “make love to the sofa cushion!”

Miette was number four. She looked up inquiringly.

“How?” she asked timidly. “As they do it in France,” replied the leader.

“But I do not know,” she faltered.

“You must guess,” commanded the one behind the mask.

“In France,” began Miette, “they do not make love at all, I believe.”

This brought forth all kinds of calls and suggestions. Finally, Nita, for it was she who was leading this number, said in a strained voice:

“Tell us what they do—how do they get acquainted?”

There was a hum of excitement as Miette stood up and faced the audience.

“In France,” she began, “when it is time for a young lady to marry, her parents make it known to her friends. Then, if some young man also wishes to marry, he has told his friends. After that the young lady is taken out by her chaperon, or maid, or perhaps her mother, and the young man is told that at a certain hour he may see her pass some place mutually agreed upon. She ‘knows he is looking, but she does not look at him.’”

“Oh, her opinion doesn’t count,” interrupted some one.

“Silence!” called the Ranger. “Proceed.” “Of course,” continued Miette, who was plainly much embarrassed, “I do not exactly know.”

“Just make a guess,” commanded the leader.

“After that, should the young man approve of the young lady, they meet at a dinner or some function.”

“Is that all?” queried Nita, for the audience seemed quite interested in the recital which had turned from a matter of nonsense into French customs.

“Well, I suppose after a month or two—they marry!” finished Miette, much relieved to have gotten off so easily.

“And that is French love-making?” exclaimed one of the committee. “See a man, go to a dinner, then become engaged and marry in a few months! I call that—something better than our boasted rush. America is not the only place in the world where the big wheel moves past the speed limit, then.”

“We are getting along without trouble,” whispered Dorothy to Tavia, “I am glad we did not stop the fun.”

“Not out of the woods yet,” Tavia replied in an undertone. “Just like Nita to put some one else up to do the mean part.” “But that ought to be enough for Miette. She told quite a story.”

“It ought to be, but that rests with the committee. However, no need to look for trouble,” and then the two directed their attention to the programme.

Minna Brown and Lily Sayre were next called upon. They were ordered to play tennis with tooth picks and putty balls. This caused no end of merriment, but as the candidates were not allowed to join in the laugh, every time either girl did so, she was obliged to get down on the floor and “wipe off her smile.” Minna had many smiles to wipe off, for she was a jolly girl and laughing was as natural to her as was breathing.

It certainly was funny to see the girls stand there on the chalk-lined floor and try to hit the putty balls with tooth picks. Of course, it was all “Love,” although Lily Sayre did manage to strike a ball, whether with her finger or the tooth pick, no one could tell.

After five minutes of this nonsense the “Ladies’ Single” was called off, and then it came time for Miette and Wanda to do their last “turn.”

“Number four!” called the leader, who was Adele Thomas.

Miette stepped up to the “throne.” “Now,” began the mask, “you understand you are to answer truthfully every question?”

Miette assented.

“Did number four write a note in the English class the other day when the rule had been made against notes?”

“No!” replied Miette unhesitatingly.

The leader turned to Nita for prompting. Then she asked:

“Did number four drop a note in the classroom?”

“N-o-!” came the answer again, this time in a startled voice.

More prompting from Nita.

“Does number four know any one in New York named—Marie Bloise?”

“Marie Bloise!” Miette almost shouted. She put her white hand to her head, as if trying to think. Then suddenly she exclaimed:

“Lost a note? Yes, to Marie? Oh, where—where—Why did you not give it to me? Where is it? I must have it at once! My note to Marie! Oh, you could not be so cruel!” and with her hands to her face, she turned and rushed from the room as if ready to collapse from stifled emotion!