"I'll go to-night," decided Grace. "I'm not afraid of the dark. If mother objects, I'll take Bridget along for protection, although she's the greatest coward in the world."
Grace giggled a little as she thought of Bridget in the role of protector.
That night she hurried through her supper, and, barely tasting her dessert, said abruptly:
"Mother, may I go to Eleanor Savelli's this evening?"
"Away out to 'Heartsease,' Grace? Who is going with you?"
"No one," replied Grace truthfully. "Mother, please don't say no. I simply must see Eleanor at once."
"But I thought that you were not friendly with Eleanor," persisted Mrs. Harlowe.
"That is true," Grace answered, "but just now that is the very thing I want to be. It's this way, mother. Eleanor is going to try to make some trouble for Marian Barber in the class, and I must act at once if it is to be prevented."
"More school-girl difficulties," commented Mrs. Harlowe, with a smile. "But how does it happen that you always seem to be in the thick of the fight, Grace?"
"I don't know, mother," sighed Grace. "No one dislikes quarrels more than I do. May I go?"