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Page 3
The beginning of the sophomore year found Miriam Nesbit in a most
unpleasant frame of mind toward Grace and her friends. The loss of the
basketball captaincy had been a severe blow to Miriam's pride, and she
could not forgive Grace her popularity.
As she walked across the gymnasium followed by the other members of the
team, her face wore a sullen expression which deepened as her eyes rested
upon Grace, and she nodded very stiffly to the young captain. Grace, fully
aware of the coldness of Miriam's salutation, returned it as courteously
as though Miriam had been one of her particular friends. Long before this
Grace had made up her mind to treat Miriam as though nothing disagreeable
had ever happened. There was no use in holding a grudge.
"If Miriam once realizes that we are willing to overlook some things
which happened last year," Grace had confided to Anne, "perhaps her better
self will come to the surface. I am sure she has a better self, only she
has never given it a chance to develop."
Anne did not feel quite so positive as to the existence of Miriam's better
self, but agreed with Grace because she adored her.
The entire team having assembled, Grace lost no time in assigning the
players to their various positions.
"Miriam will you play one of the forwards?" she asked.
"Who is going to play center?" queried Miriam ignoring Grace's question.
"Why the girls have asked me to play," replied Grace.
"If I cannot play center," announced Miriam shrugging her shoulders, "I
shall play nothing."
A sudden silence fell upon the group of girls, who, amazed at Miriam's
rudeness, awaited Grace's answer.
Stifling her desire to retort sharply, Grace said? "Why Miriam, I didn't
know you felt that way about it. Certainly you may play center if you wish
to. I am sure I don't wish to seem selfish."
This was too much for Nora O'Malley, who deeply resented Miriam's attitude
toward Grace.
"We want our captain for center," she said. "Don't we, girls?"
"Yes," chorused the girls.
It was a humiliating moment for proud Miriam. Grace realized this and felt
equally embarrassed at their outspoken preference.
Then Miriam said with a contemptuous laugh, "Really, Miss Harlowe, I
congratulate you upon your loyal support. It is a good thing to have
friends at court. However, it is immaterial to me what position I play,
for I am not particularly enthusiastic over basketball. The juniors are
sure to win at any rate."
A flush mounted to Grace's cheeks at Miriam's insulting words. Controlling
her anger, she said quietly:
"Very well, I will play center." Then she rapidly named the other players.
This last formality having been disposed of, the team lined up for
practice. Soon the game was at its height. Miriam in the excitement of the
play, forgot her recently avowed indifference toward basketball and went
to work with all the skill and activity she possessed.
The basketball team, during its infancy in the freshman class had given
splendid promise of future fame. Grace felt proud of her players as she
stopped for a moment to watch their agile movements and spirited work.
Surely, the juniors would have to look out for their laurels this year.
Her blood quickened at thought, of the coming contests which were to take
place during the course of the winter between the two class teams. There
were to be three games that season, and the sophomores had made up their
minds to win all of them. What if the junior team were a famous one, and
had won victory after victory the year before over all other class teams?
The sophomores resolved to be famous, too.
In fact, all of Grace's hopes were centered on the coming season. Napoleon
himself could not have been more eager for victory.
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