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Page 8
"What did I tell you about the way of the transgressor?" said Anne to
Grace, as they walked home from school that day.
"It certainly is hard enough this time," said Grace. "But," she added, as
she thought of Julia Crosby's recent accusation, "the way of the righteous
isn't always easy."
CHAPTER III
A GENEROUS APPEAL
The juniors themselves hardly felt the weight of their punishment more
than did Grace Harlowe. Her heart was set on winning every basketball game
of the series. But she wished to win fairly and honestly. Now, that the
juniors had been forbidden the use of the gymnasium, the sophomores might
practise there to their heart's content. But was that fair? To be sure the
juniors had deserved their punishment, but what kind of basketball could
they play after having had no practice for two weeks? Besides, Julia
Crosby blamed her for telling what had occurred in the gymnasium. She had
gone to Julia, earnestly avowing innocence, but Julia had only laughed at
her and refused to listen.
All this passed rapidly through Grace's mind as she walked toward the High
School several mornings later. Something must be done, but what she hardly
knew. The game could be postponed, but Grace felt that the other girls
would not care to postpone it. They were heartily glad that the junior
team had come to grief, and showed no sympathy for them.
"There's just one thing to be done," sighed Grace to herself. "And that's
to go to Miss Thompson and ask her to restore the juniors their privilege.
I hate to do it, she was so angry with them. But I'll do what I can,
anyway. Here goes."
Miss Thompson was in her office when Grace entered rather timidly, seating
herself on the oak settee until the principal should find time to talk to
talk with her.
"Well, Grace, what can I do for you?" said Miss Thompson, looking up
smilingly at the young girl. "You look as though you carried the cares of
the world upon your shoulders this morning."
"Not quite all of them, but I have a few especial ones that are bothering
me," replied Grace. Then after a moment's hesitation she said, "Miss
Thompson, won't you, please, restore the juniors their gymnasium
privilege?"
Miss Thompson regarded Grace searchingly. "What a peculiar request to
make, Grace. Don't you consider the juniors' punishment a just one?"
"Yes," said Grace earnestly, "I do. But this is the whole trouble. The
first basketball game between the juniors and the sophomores is scheduled
to take place in less than two weeks. If the juniors do not practise they
will play badly, and we shall beat them. We hope to win, at any rate, but
we want to feel that they have had the same chances that we have had. If
they do fail, they will say that it was because they had no opportunity
for practice. That will take all the sweetness out of the victory for us."
"I think I see," said Miss Thompson, smiling a little. "It is a case of
the innocent suffering with the guilty, isn't it? Personally, I hardly
feel like restoring these bad children to favor, as they sadly needed a
lesson; but since you take the matter so seriously to heart; I suppose I
must say 'yes.'"
"Thank you so much, dear Miss Thompson," said Grace with shining eyes,
"and now I want to ask one more favor. Julia Crosby believes that I
reported her to you that day. Of course you know that I did not. Will you
please tell her so? Her accusation has made me very unhappy."
Miss Thompson looked a trifle stern. "Yes, Grace," she said, "I will
attend to that, too."
Grace turned to go, but Miss Thompson said. "Wait a moment, Grace, I will
send for Miss Crosby."
Julia Crosby heard the summons with dismay. She wondered what Miss
Thompson could have to say to her. The principal's reprimand had been so
severe that even mischievous Julia felt obliged to go softly. Another
performance like the last might cut short her High School career. So she
let the sophomores severely alone. She was, therefore, surprised on
entering the office to meet Grace Harlowe face to face.
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