Clarice turned from the table, and before the astonished girls could move, had darted out of a side door which was directly behind her. Then pandemonium broke loose.
“Three cheers for Clarice and Pat!” cried Katharine, waving her arms excitedly.
An immediate and hearty response centered the attention of the entire dining room upon the Arnold Hall table; and as the girls left the building they were besieged by the other students to know the cause of the demonstration.
Although examinations loomed in the near future, no one could study in Arnold Hall that evening; everyone was too excited, and too happy, to settle down. The members of the Alley Gang roamed restlessly in and out of one another’s rooms, talking incessantly, while sampling the “eats” which had arrived in several boxes from home that day. Patricia had managed to get Clarice for a few moments alone in order to say some things which couldn’t be said in public.
“Please don’t, Pat,” protested the other girl. “I’m so far in debt to you that—”
“But, Clarice,” interrupted Patricia, putting her hand forcibly over her friend’s mouth to check further talk about indebtedness, “I want to know how things stand with you. You won’t be dropped?”
“No, everything’s all right. The Dean was lovely, and from now on I’m going to make good.”
“I’m so glad,” began Patricia, “and I know that you can.”
Just then Anne appeared, and announced that Rhoda had a telephone message for Patricia.
Sliding off the porch railing, on which they had been perched, the two girls followed Anne into the house.