Mercy had tried to beg off at first; then she had agreed to go, if she could take half a trunkful of books with her.
Briarwood girls were as busy as bees in June during these last few days of the first half. The second half was broken by the Easter vacation and most of the real hard work in study came before Christmas.
There was going to be a school play after Christmas, and the parts were given out before the holidays. Helen was going to play and Ruth to sing. It did seem to Ann as though every girl was happy and busy but herself.
The last day of the term was in sight. There was to be the usual entertainment and a dance at night. The hall had to be trimmed with greens and those girls—of the junior and senior classes—who could, were appointed to help gather the decorations.
"I don't want to go," objected Ann.
"Goosie!" cried Helen. "Of course you do. It will be fun."
"Not for me," returned the ranch girl, grimly. "Do you see who is going to head the party? That Mitchell girl. She's always nasty to me."
"Be nasty to her!" snapped Mercy, from her corner.
"Now, Mercy!" begged Ruth, shaking a finger at the lame girl.
"I wouldn't mind what Mitchell says or does," sniffed The Fox.